A dog owner has told of his frightening experience at the mercy of Storm Brian.

And he has praised the actions of a couple who helped pull him from the water.

Grahame Howard from Littlemoor was walking his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel along Overcombe Beach on Saturday near the Oasis Café, when his pet ran off into the surf.

Mr Howard chased after his dog, who made it into the sea, when he was overcome by powerful waves which took him off his feet and sucked him underwater.

He explained: “I was taking a few photographs of the waves when my dog decided to dash of into the sea.

“I had him on the lead and put it underneath my foot, but due to the wetness of the conditions he managed to pull away and ran into the sea foam.

“I dashed after him and managed to chuck him onto the shore when an almighty wave knocked me off my feet.

“ I was lying flat when the sea sucked me out. Then another wave overcame me and I did a backflip underwater.

“I managed to get back to my feet when a lovely lady helped to pull me out of the water and onto the shore. Her husband was there, and he had got hold of my dog. I am grateful to be alive.”

Mr Howard said he owes his life to the couple who are unknown to him.

He added: “I would like to say thank you to the couple, thank you for being there and saving my life I am very grateful. I don’t know who they were they are, but they were so lovely and helpful and offered to walk me to my car.

“ I had lost my mobile phone and couldn’t hear a thing.”

He also lost his credit card, his camera and his hearing aid.

Mr Howard said he was determined to rescue his dog, which is 18 months old, after the recent death of his other dog, which died aged five.

He added: “I am not foolhardy and I didn’t run into the waves.

“The sea was moving so fast it was like a steam train. It knocked me over and winded me.

“ It had been impossible to swim in those conditions, especially with a coat on. I must have weighed about twenty stone.”