A woman and three children were cut off by high tides at a Northumberland beauty spot and had to be rescued by a lifeboat crew.
Just after 1pm on Saturday, the Coastguard requested the launch of Seahouses inshore lifeboat (ILB) to the report of a woman and three children, cut off by the rising tide, on a sand bank in Budle Bay.
Just four minutes later, the ILB launched and made their way to the location.
On arrival, the crew spotted the casualties on the north side of the bay, and had some difficulty reaching them due to the shallow water and sand banks.
The crew made their way on foot through the water for the final few yards, and then carried and walked the casualties to the lifeboat.
They were then taken by lifeboat across the bay where they were handed into the care of Coastguard teams from Seahouses and Howick, who had also been tasked to the scene.
Once the casualties were safely ashore, the lifeboat returned to station.
The tides were particularly high yesterday, and are known as spring tides.
Seahouses lifeboat operations manager Ian Clayton urged the public to be aware of tides.
He said: "We urge to public to be aware of the speed tides can come in, cutting off the unwary.
"Tides this weekend were big spring tides, being higher than normal, and the tide can come in quickly across areas such as mud flats and shallow bays, and can quickly encircle and trap people on foot in areas like Budle Bay and Holy Island.
"Visitors need to be aware of the dangers. On this occasion, we had a good outcome, but it could have been very different."
