A LIFEBOAT crew was astonished to get a call to save a family pet from the North Sea -and even more amazed when the paddling pooch snubbed their rescue efforts.

The Leicester Challenger II lifeboat was launched from Redcar Station, in east Cleveland, after a distraught caller reported that a labrador had got out of its depth after it chased a ball thrown into the water.

The dog, named Toby, left his owners, a family on a day trip from Darlington, mortified as he headed further out to sea in pursuit of the ball.

Help appeared to be at hand, though, when helmsman Mark Reeves brought the boat alongside Toby, who was 300 yards out and in difficulty.

But, determined to capture the ball, Toby took one look at his rescuers and carried on swimming.

After their coaxing failed, crewman Tommy McNamara leapt in the sea to pull Toby into the lifeboat.

Dave Cammish, of Redcar Lifeboat Station, said: "Although lifeboats of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution are primarily for the rescue of human beings, launching authorities have a discretion where animals are involved.

"We try to help wherever we can, because so often owners will try to save pets and get themselves into difficulty. Apart from that, we are all softies at heart."

The crew received a standing ovation from day-trippers as they returned to shore following the incident on Tuesday.

* Is Toby your dog? If so, please call The Northern Echo newsdesk on (01325) 505064.