A FULL-scale rescue operation was launched after a blind dog became trapped on the Wirral shoreline.

Four-year-old springer spaniel Charlie had spent all of Wednesday night out in the open after becoming separated from his owner while being walked on Hoylake beach.

Hoylake and New Brighton coastguard teams were alerted to the dog’s difficulties after dog walkers spotted Charlie partially in the water, a few miles away from where he was lost, off Bay View Drive in Wallasey.

Now cold and confused, Charlie was in dire need of help – with reports of people in the water trying to save the dog.

Once on scene, everyone was cleared from the water before the coastguard team managed to coax the frightened pooch ashore.

A post on Hoylake Coastguard’s Facebook page said: “After many failed attempts and awaiting the dog warden, the team managed to get between the dog and the water and herd it ashore, where with some clever manoeuvring CRV and CRO’s, managed to capture it.

“It turns out that Charlie was blind and had been missing since yesterday (Wednesday) evening and was so both scared and confused, not to mention cold.

“We’re happy to report that Charlie was reunited with his owners.”

“Our advice to those that witness dogs in the sea, please do not attempt to rescue them. A fact is that most dogs will make it ashore safely, while many people attempting to rescue them don’t.”

Call the Coastguard on 999.