Less than a day after the RNLI in Wales warned the public of the need to stay safe and take care over the half-term break, Rhyl's Lifeboat has been called out to rescue a swimming dog which eventually attempted to make its way back to shore.

At just before 9am this morning Rhyl's Inshore Lifeboat crew along with Rhyl Coastguard Rescue Team were paged to reports of a dog swimming out to sea.

When the Inshore Lifeboat crew arrived on scene the dog had began to make its own way to shore, so the crew escorted the dog out of the water, where it was reunited with its owners.

The owner did the right thing, by calling 999 and asking the Coastguard for assitance, rather than attempting to recover thier pet themselves, said the RNLI on Facebook this afternoon.

With half term happening the RNLI has urged anyone, who is able under government guidelines to visit the Welsh coast to stay safe. The charity is urging people not to take any unnecessary risks that may put extra pressure on emergency services.

Every time a lifeboat crew is called to an incident, it puts additional pressure on RNLI volunteers and other front-line emergency services. In addition to this it also potentially exposes them to Covid-19.

The lifesaving charity is asking the public to follow Welsh government guidelines and think carefully about safety if they live close to the coast.

During lockdown people are allowed to exercise but the RNLI do not recommend that this exercise is on or in the sea.

Stuart Wallace, RNLI Regional Lifesaving Lead for Wales said: "The school holiday will look very different this year, but for those able to use the coast for exercise, we would urge them to familiarise themselves with local risks and be as safe as possible and not put unnecessary strain on front line services."