Bob Knox, Solent Coastguard Watch Manager said: "The man and his wife had been walking along the cliffs, when the two dogs, a fox terrier and a retriever, fell down the chalky face. One of the dogs was caught about a quarter of the way down, but the other could not be seen from the top.

"When I spoke to the man, he was considering going down the cliffs to attempt his own rescue. I urged him not to do this and promised to send a cliff rescue team to the scene to assist.

"The Newhaven Coastguard Rescue Team arrived at the scene shortly afterwards. They went down the cliffs to retrieve the one dog that was part of the way down and to look for the other. The Newhaven Lifeboat, which was already out on other duties, diverted to look along the coastline and up the cliffs for the other dog. The dog that was 1/4 of the way down was quickly found, put in a 'doggie bag', a canvas sling that has four holes in it for the legs, and taken to the top unharmed. The second dog was also found some considerable distance down the cliff and again taken to the top of the cliff in a doggie bag. It has broken both of its hind legs and has been taken to a local vet.

"We would strongly advise members of the public to stay away from the cliff edges. They are very dangerous, particularly with the amount of rain we have had recently seeping through and dissolving the chalk from below."