THE region's animal cruelty record has been highlighted again by the plight of two puppies left to drown on a beach.

The pair of six-week-old pups were tied to a rock and left to the mercy of the incoming tide at Seaham, County Durham.

But a passer-by spotted them on Monday at about 3pm and Easington District Council's dog warden, Ian Harrison ,was called in to rescue them.

Now, they are recovering at Deerness Kennels, Langley Park, near Durham City, where centre owner Kevin Forsyth is trying to find them new homes.

He said: "The tide would have reached them at 5.40pm and they wouldn't be here. It was a heartless act. But, luckily, they're healthy little things and they need rehoming straight away."

Anyone wishing to rehome the two pups rescued from Seaham beach should call 0191-378 0439.

As reported in yesterday's editions of The Northern Echo, the region has the UK's highest number of cruelty convictions for the eighth year running