EMERGENCY crews worked solidly for hours to rescue a dog trapped in mud in Leigh as the tide advanced.

Essex fire crews were called to help the Coastguard and RNLI search for a missing Dachshund at Two Tree Island at 3.55pm today. 

Firefighters rescued a dog which was trapped in mudflats with the tide coming in.

The dog was located on mudflats at 5.42pm.

Rescuers were unable to reach it because the dog was so distressed.

The dog was later plucked to safety from a sand bank was at 6.53pm. 

An Essex fire and rescue spokesman said: "At that point, firefighters from Leigh used their water rescue boat to safely retrieve the dog - about 30 minutes before high tide - and reunite it with its owner."

In a statement tonight, HM Coastguard Southend said: "To all those that might have seen the large operation between chalkwell and Two Tree this afternoon...we want to let you know after a eight-hour multi-agency operation we were able to rescue the puppy and is safely with their owner."