THE owners of a dog who cheated death after plunging 130ft over a cliff today spoke of their amazement that she managed to survive with just a scratch.

Holidaymakers Paul Knight, his wife June, and their 14-year-old son Steven were walking their six-year-old Airedale Jessie along a coastal path at Rope Lake Head near Kimmeridge when catastrophe struck.

Paul, from Southend in Essex, said: "Jessie suddenly took a left-hand turn through the tall grass at the cliff edge. We called her but she didn't come.

"I ended hanging over the edge of the cliff to look for her with my wife and son hanging on to my ankles."

The family feared their pet was dead, but then caught a glimpse of her sitting at the bottom of the sheer drop.

Paul and Steven rushed to get help and a passer-by lent them his mobile phone to alert the coastguard.

The coastguard rescue helicopter found black-and-tan Jessie, but attempts to airlift her failed because she would not allow any of the rescuers to handle her.

So they collected Paul from a spot nearby and landed on the beach near to Jessie.

He said: "When I got to her she was very shocked but doesn't appear to have sustained any serious injuries. We expected her to at least have broken bones.

When your dog falls that far, your first assumption is that she is dead."

He thanked the coastguards for their help.