Dave the dog labelled hero after rescuing drowning family

A dog called Dave has been labelled a hero after he rescued two drowning teenagers and a mother.

Nicola Godliman, 42, her daughter Poppy, 14, and niece Kiera Kerr, 19 were swept out to sea at Hayling beach near Portsmouth.

Sensing the panic, black Labrador Dave sprinted into the water and battled strong currents to save Nicola.

Dog owner and passer by Guy Jenner was with his 13-year-old son Tom when the incident occurred.

Tom also jumped into the water to save Kiera while Dave helped swim Nicola back to shore.

Following his son and dog's lead, Guy jumped into the water to save Poppy, the youngest of the three who were dragged out to sea.

Tom Jenner, Guy Jenner, Kiera Kerr, Poppy Standen and Nicola Godliman with Dave. Photo / Portsmouth.co.uk

Nicola told Portsmouth.co.uk she went in to rescue the pair but got caught in trouble herself.

"I went into the water because the girls were in trouble screaming at me. By the time I got to both the girls Kiera had drifted away," she said.

"Poppy was in more trouble so I went to her but by the time I reached her she was panicking too much and started pulling me under too.

"Kiera wasn't panicking as much because she knew it would help to turn on her back and float, but Poppy was in terrible trouble.

"She was being dragged underwater and kept screaming, 'Mum! Mum! Help me!' But I just wasn't strong enough to do it.

"Both of us in the water thought our time was up."

That was until Guy, Tom and Dave came to the rescue.

"There was no bravery, it was just bang, straight in," Guy explained.

"Dave's our little hero and I'm proud of Tom."

Dave is being labelled a hero after he saved Kiera from drowning. Photo / Portsmouth.co.uk

Nicola said they wouldn't be alive today without the three heroes.

"We owe our lives to Guy, Tom and Dave and as the saying goes - not all heroes wear capes.

"I'll never be able to thank them enough. We're going to stay friends, and go on dog walks together."