Lifesaving Sennen beach dog, Bilbo, dies

Tributes have been paid from around the world to a famous Cornish "lifesaving" dog who has died.

Bilbo, a 14-stone (89kg) newfoundland, patrolled the beach at Sennen with his lifeguard owner Steve Jamieson.

He was the face of school campaigns which taught children "essential beach safety skills".

Mr Jamieson, said he was "devastated" by loss of Bilbo. The RNLI said Bilbo had made a "valuable contribution" to beach safety in west Cornwall.

A dog ban seven years ago sparked a public protest to get Bilbo reinstated to his beach duties.

Thousands of people signed a petition to get him classified as a working dog to get around the rules and he was allowed back twice a week.

In 2009 Bilbo won "Dog of the Day" on the working dogs day at Crufts.

Steve Jamieson said: "My lovely boy slipped his moorings yesterday afternoon and sailed off without me. RIP Bilbo 2003-2015."

An RNLI spokesperson said: "Our condolences go to Steve Jamieson on the news that his dog Bilbo has sadly passed away."