A major rescue operation is underway at a Dumfries and Galloway beach after a man got stuck in sinking mud.
Emergency services, including a rescue helicopter, raced to the scene at Southerness at around 3pm this afternoon.
Local radio station WestSound is reporting that the man was walking near to the lighthouse when he got into difficulty - adding "the mud has now risen to waist deep".
The public are being urged to avoid the area to allow rescue services to quickly carry out their rescue.
A Police Scotland spokesperson confirmed: "Emergency Services and lifeboat crews are currently carrying out a rescue operation at Southerness after a youth has become stuck in the mud.
"We would ask members of the public keep away from the shoreline as this will allow rescue services to work quickly at the scene.
"A rescue helicopter is expected to attend and assist and anyone with a drone in the area should kept this grounded at this time."
