A DISABLED pensioner has thanked a good Samaritan who saved her devoted dog from drowning in the sea.

Joyce Neesome, 76, watched in horror as pet pooch Lizzie got into trouble in the water at Dovercourt Beach on Monday.

The black labrador is Joyce's lifeline and has been trained to pick things up for her.

"I was throwing balls in the sea for her," she said.

"She got hold of something which looked like a ball but was somehow anchored to the bottom and wouldn't let go of it.

"She was treading water for about 20 minutes, which is an awfully long time. The tide was coming in and she was getting more and more tired but she just wouldn't let go.

"I tried to get a lifebelt but I'm not very strong because I'm disabled and it wouldn't come of the post.

"So I started wondering whether I should go in myself to get her and began taking my clothes off."

Luckily another dog walker saw what was happening and rushed to Lizzie's rescue.

Joyce, of Bruges Close, Dovercourt, said: "He took of his clothes down to his pants and dived in.

"There was quite a big sea swell but he just jumped into the freezing cold water and got her.

"When he came out he was purple and he had to walk home soaking wet with his dog."

Lizzie was reunited with her grateful owner.

Joyce said: "She's going to be the last dog I have and I don't know what I'd do if I lost her.

"She picks up my walking sticks and anything I drop, and runs alongside my invalid buggy.

"She never does anything naughty usually, except pinch other dogs' tennis balls."

Joyce fears Lizzie would have drowned without her heroic rescuer.

"I am so grateful to him – I really am," she said.