Beach swimmers visiting the area on staycations have been warned of the dangers after two people had to be rescued in Northumberland.
Coastguard teams from Seahouses, Berwick and Howick, as well as the Seahouses Inshore Lifeboat, were called to Bamburgh beach at just after 3.30pm on Thursday after reports of several swimmers in the water.
One man had already come to shore and the other two were wading through the breaking surf back to the beach.
Rescuers went into the water to help them get ashore and one woman was given oxygen by paramedics at the scene.
After she was stabilised, the woman, who was on holiday from the Canterbury area, was taken to hospital as a precaution.
Seahouses Lifeboat operations manger Ian Clayton said: “We are increasingly concerned by the number of similar incidents, probably enhanced by staycations.
"The North Sea can be a dangerous place for the unwary, and we urge everyone to keep close to shore when swimming in the sea. Further out there are strong currents sweeping along the shore, and the cold water temperature can catch out the unwary.
"If you are in trouble, lie on your back, limbs outstretched and float. Wave your arms and call for help. Anyone seeing someone who may be in trouble, should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard as quickly as possible.”
