13th August 2021. Last weekend, a very worried walker approached the National Coastwatch Institution station at St Albans Head and asked the duty Watchkeepers if they could help. His exuberant spaniel had slipped its lead and gone over the cliff about 50 metres to the west of the lookout.

The St Alban's Head station is 345 feet above sea level but fortunately, the dog had landed on a ledge on the cliff face. The volunteer Watchkeepers contacted Solent Coastguard who tasked the Swanage Coastguard Cliff Rescue Team to the scene - with the St Albans Head Coast Rescue Team on standby. On arrival, the CRT set up and started their descent over the cliff edge - returning with a very happy, and uninjured spaniel, Benjie to be reunited with a delighted, and relieved, owner.

A good result all round - for all involved

The photograph of Benjie after his rescue is courtesy of Solent Coastguard.