A DOG has drowned after getting into difficulty on the Morecambe Bay sands at Hest Bank.

At 12.10pm today, Liverpool Coastguard was contacted by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service which had received a call requesting help from a woman walking her dogs.

The fire service was first on the scene as Morecambe Coastguard was put on standby.

A Liverpool Coastguard spokesman said: “It turned out to be two people walking three dogs, and one dog had drowned after coming into trouble on the beach, possibly not noticing a channel or getting caught in a pool of water.

“The caller did not want to leave the animal.”

The spokesman added: “Without knowing the full details of the incident, we would issue general advice to make sure you are aware of the tide times - maybe call the Coastguard to get tide times and weather forecasts - and be aware that the beach can have shifting banks, quicksand and dangerous mud which you can get stuck in.

“Tell people where you’re going and what time you’re coming back.”