A DOG walker and her four-legged friend were rescued after getting cut off by the incoming tide in Leasowe bay.

The volunteer crew of Hoylake RNLI hovercraft were alerted at around 11am on Monday by the Coastguard, who had been called by walker, reporting that she and her dog were stuck on a sandbank close to a groyne known locally as Barber’s Folly.

New Brighton lifeboat was also tasked as the crew were on a training exercise in the area at the time.

With the tide flooding in quickly, Hoylake's inshore rescue hovercraft Hurley Spirit was launched immediately and arrived on scene just minutes later.

The woman and her dog were found on a small sandbank surrounded by rising water and brought safely on board the hovercraft by the volunteer crew.

Once the crew were satisfied that both the casualty and her dog were well, they were brought ashore and landed at Dove Point slipway in Meols to be met by waiting Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team officers.

Volunteer hovercraft commander Howie Owen said: "The tide around the Wirral coast can come in very quickly and it's very easy to find yourself cut off unexpectedly.

"The casualty did the right thing by telephoning the Coastguard as soon as she realised she was in difficulty.

"The RNLI launches to hundreds of incidents each year where people have been cut off by the tide.

"If you're heading to the coast, you should always let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back, carry a means of calling for help and most importantly, check the weather and tide times in advance. "If you do get into trouble dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard."