Two women stuck chest-deep in mud after trying to rescue their dog

The women, aged 70 and 43, had been walking their Alsatian-cross at Herne Bay, Kent before they became stuck in the quagmire

Two women became stuck chest-deep in mud at a coastal beauty spot after wading into a bog to rescue their dog.

The women, aged 70 and 43, had been walking their Alsatian-cross at Herne Bay, Kent when the animal got stuck in the quagmire.

The pair tried to reach their stricken pet by carefully walking through the bog but ended up sinking, until the mud came up to their chests.

Unable to get out, one of the woman used her mobile phone to dial 999 and coastguards and fire crews rushed to the scene.

They found the younger woman clutching the muddy dog and used an inflatable slide to reach them and pull them free.

The women were checked over by ambulance paramedics for shock and signs of hypothermia.

Just hours later, a 60-year-old woman also became stuck waist-deep in the same patch of mud.

Following the incident on Sunday Kent Fire and Rescue Service issued an appeal for walkers to be careful when walking by the coast.

Charlie Smith, community safety manager, said: "We would urge people to be extra careful when they are out walking, especially in tidal areas and where the ground is still soft from the recent wet weather.

"It is very easy to get stuck in mud and very difficult to get yourself out.

"Dog-owners should avoid putting their lives at risk to rescue their pets and instead call 999 to get assistance from trained professionals."