A TEENAGE boy was rescued from the side of a cliff after climbing up to rescue a dog.

The boy was enjoying a trip to Hengistbury Head when the crowds on the beach spotted a dog half way up the cliffs.

He decided to go to the rescue and made his way 50ft up the cliffs to the dog. He was reassuring the pet as emergency services were called at around 2.20pm on Saturday.

Dorset Fire and Rescue’s rope and animal rescue team were sent, along with a fire crew from Christchurch.

They worked with the Coastguard to lower a harness to the boy, who was then lowered to the beach.

Coastguard crew used a bag to rescue the dog, a collie called Ben, who was none the worse for his ordeal.

Dorset Fire and Rescue said the incident had ended happily but warned the public not to put themselves in danger when rescuing animals.