We last saw him running to the sea. The tide was heavy so we thought we'd never see him again

Jo Walker

The couple, Saffron and Stephen Price-Walter, lifted Cap to safety.

Mrs Price-Walter, 27, said: "We spotted him after our dog Rosie began barking outside the hole.

"He was very thin and shell-shocked.

"The weather here's been getting colder and frostier every evening so I don't think he would have survived much longer.

"When we telephoned his owners we couldn't believe how long he'd been surviving out there."

The Rev and his wife, from nearby Egremont, had scoured the area for hours after Cap went missing.

They had even spent a night in their beach hut near to the spot where they had lost him.

Showered with affection

Mrs Walker, 58, said: "He is a miracle dog to our family. He lost about half his body weight.

"We last saw him running to the sea. The tide was heavy so we thought we'd never see him again.

"The hole is near the edge of the cliff. The path it's on was only opened up again on Boxing Day after foot-and-mouth.

The Walkers adopted Cap from a farm because he was unsuitable to be a sheepdog.

"Border collies have an obsession with running off," said Mrs Walker.

"But hopefully with all the love and attention he's getting from us and the other villagers we won't loose him again."