A POORLY pooch who loves the sea but has been too ill to walk there has felt the sand under her paws once again – thanks to a kind-hearted cab driver who is giving her lifts to the beach.

Veteran golden retriever Reema was consigned to walks in the woods in recent months due a back problem that prevents her from walking a long way.

Her owner Suzanne Clarke, 57, was so desperate to get Reema back to the beach that she appealed on social media for someone who would be willing take her in their car.

Conscientious taxi driver Paul Brown, 49, saw the post and "didn't think twice" about stepping up and offering his services.

Since then Suzanne, Reema and Paul have been making weekly trips to the beach at Bridlington, which is the pooch's favourite place for a stroll.

Suzanne said Reema's bad back prevented her from making the mile walk from their house to the beach and that she doesn't have a car at the moment, so can't drive them.

The support worker added: "Reema was very sad that she was no longer able to walk on the beach.

"It's her favourite place to go and is so close to us that it seemed such a shame she was missing out.

"I thought I may as well put the problem on Facebook to see if anyone could help, which is how I met Paul.

"He's a lovely man and very kind to let Reema sit in his car."

Paul works as a driver in Bridlington.

He said: "When I saw what was being asked I didn't think twice about it, I just got in touch and offered my services.

"Some people are funny about having dogs in their car but that's not me, they're part of the family in my opinion."

"Others say dogs can only go in the boot but I would never do that. I wouldn't put a person in the boot, so why would I put an older dog in there?"

Reema, who is now aged ten, has travelled the world throughout her life.

Suzanne and her husband Andy, 58, used to work on the continent, which is where they adopted the pooch, and the trio travelled all over Spain, Belgium and Portugal together.

She said: "Reema has lived a long and exciting life but I think her days of travelling abroad are behind her now.

"She's quite happy to make the short trip to the beach nowadays."

Suzanne added: "I'm really grateful to Paul for taking us there, it has made us both very happy."