A DOG was so absorbed in his chase for a ball that he swam a quarter-of-a-mile out to sea - unaware of attempts to save him.

Toby, an 11-year-old labrador, was at Redcar with owners Mark Reece and Louise Craggs, from Darlington, when the wind sent his football into the sea and he dutifully jumped in to retrieve it.

Louise, who works at a veterinary practice, said: "He's got arthritis but he made a flying leap for the sea. He just wanted that football. But every time Toby lunged to get the ball he just ended up heading it further out to sea. Then we lost sight of him.

"Toby just loves the sea and wasn't worried at all but I was in a blind panic. He's our little boy."

Louise's boyfriend Mark went into the sea to try to retrieve Toby but he was too far out. Meanwhile Louise borrowed a passer-by's phone and dialled 999.

"Someone from Redcar lifeboat co-ordinated the operation from the beach and asked the crew out at sea if Toby was OK. They replied 'he's still chasing the ball'.

"Once they brought him back, all he wanted was his ball back. He was fine."

The couple said they were very grateful to the lifeboat crew.