A lifeboat crew were scrambled after reports of a "large party" stranded on Hilbre Island as the tide was about to come in.
A concerned member of the public was walking along West Kirby beach this morning and spotted a group of people on Middle Eye, one of the islands which makes up Hilbre, who appeared to be at risk of being cut off due to the incoming tide.
The coastguard were alerted and the volunteer crew of West Kirby RNLI tasked with searching the island and the surrounding area.
However it turned out the party of nine were all well-equipped and awaiting the 8m high tide at 10.46am before swimming to shore.
Following a thorough search, the volunteer crew returned to the Sandy Lane slipway near West Kirby Sailing Club.
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Richard Diamond, West Kirby RNLI Lifeboat operations manager said: "Open water swimming is an increasingly popular sport and beach safety is, therefore, vitally important.
"We would encourage open water swimmers to notify HM Coastguard of their intentions prior to distance swimming."
