A MISSING nine-year-old Labrador who sparked an island-wide search was dramatically rescued after three boats - including an RNLI crew - were scrambled to save her.

Black Lab Ella escaped her home, in Prince Albert Road, West Mersea, shortly before 8.30am on Thursday.

Her disappearance sparked a large-scale search which saw hundreds of people scour the island to find her after hearing about it on Facebook.

Despite a number of reported sightings - including her being hit by a car in nearby High Street and being heard crying in the Glebe - each time searchers got close to her, she bolted.

But on Sunday, dog walkers Jon and Emily Mills were near to Ray Island with their own Labrador Trigger, and spotted missing Ella in the brambles.

They immediately called owner Tyson Burns-Green who had all-but-given-up hope of finding Ella alive.

Mr Burns-Green led a search onto Ray Island but they were unable to find Ella among the brambles until Mr Mills set gundog Trigger loose in the marshes to flush her out.

Minutes later, Ella was spotted leaving at the edge of the island, going towards Packing Shed Island.

When Ella began swimming, Mr Burns-Green called his wife Kate and urged her to persuade some boat owners to go after her from West Mersea.

Within minutes an RNLI crew was joined by Stacey Belbin’s Lady Grace and sailor Robin Gozzett’s dinghy.

The trio were able to round on Ella and Jake Bowyer, who was on board Mr Gozzett’s boat, hauled her aboard. Ella was reunited with owner Kate, 45, and her daughter Lucy, 13, when the boat got back to shore.

Blackwater Vets, in Queen’s Corner, opened especially to see Ella who was treated for severe dehydration. She was allowed home on Sunday night.

Mr Burns-Green, 47, said: “There are just so many people we have to thank for their help. Without them, I am convinced we just wouldn’t have found her.

“I was convinced she was dead. I was convinced after she had been hit by the car, had bolted and had bled to death somewhere while hiding out.

“She’s exhausted for sure but she’s home probably thinking ‘What was all the fuss about?’

A fundraising page has been launched to thank the RNLI crew for their help. To donate, go to bit.ly/2i8MJlC.