FEARS are growing for the safety an elderly woman who was last seen trying to rescue her dog from the sea on Blackpool's North Shore.

The woman was spotted by a passer-by following a small white Scottish terrier dog into the water close to Uncle Tom's Cabin mid morning on Monday. The concerned man ran to his nearby house so he could raise the alarm on his mobile telephone.

When he returned to the scene he found the dog dead washed up on the shore and no sign of the pensioner.

Sgt Mick Swindells of Blackpool Police explained: "We just want to know for sure that she is safe and well. At present we can't say for certain. Coastguards have been thoroughly searching the area since the incident and nothing has turned up yet, which is a positive sign.

"Hopefully she is at home mourning the loss of her dog."

Anyone who knows an elderly woman who walks her dog on the cliffs in the North Shore area or can help police in any way with their enquiry should call 01253 604238.

Sgt Swindells issued a reminder about the danger of entering the sea. "It holds hidden currents and is still extremely cold during the summer months."

He added: "People should not encourage their pets to swim in the sea, particularly near the piers where the swell is high. It may look calm but there are very strong under currents."