'Dog walker saved me from drowning - he's a hero'

Marcus Zagni (left) was rescued from the sea in Felixstowe by dog walker Marcus Long (right)

A teenage swimmer said he was "lucky to be alive" after being rescued by a passing dog walker when he got into difficulty in the sea.

Marcus Zagni, 19, was swimming off the Felixstowe coast on 29 July when he was caught in a stronger current than he had anticipated.

Despite being a confident swimmer, he found himself struggling to keep his head above water near sandbanks not far from Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club.

After spotting the teenager, passer-by Marcus Long dived into the sea and placed Mr Zagni on his back before heading back to shore.

Mr Zagni, 19, got into difficulty off the coast of Felixstowe while swimming

Mr Zagni said he had started to panic after being unable to swim against the strong current.

“I knew I was in serious trouble when I realised no matter how hard I was swimming I wasn’t going anywhere," he said.

“Then it really hit me when I was struggling to keep my head above the water. I still can’t put into words the fear and how petrifying that feeling was.

“If Marcus hadn’t bravely swum out and saved me, I really dread to think how different things could have gone.”

Marcus Long was walking his dog when he saw Mr Zagni having difficulty in the sea

The shop worker, who lives in Ipswich, has now said Mr Long deserves to be recognised for his actions.

“People like Marcus deserve all the plaudits - it shows there are still good people out there.

“To put himself at risk to save me, someone he doesn’t even know, shows how selfless and brave he is.

“I can’t put into words how much I will always appreciate him and how thankful I am. He’s a hero - 100%.”

Emergency services, including East of England Ambulance Service paramedics and coastguard crew, were called to the scene near Cliff Road just before 20:00 BST on 29 July.

Mr Zagni did not need hospital treatment.

Mr Zagni couldn't get back to shore without assistance due to the strong current

The incident has prompted calls for more signs to be installed warning swimmers of the dangers of the sea.

Mr Zagni’s aunt, Chelle Hicks, is one of those who believes there should be stronger warning signs.

“If you know Felixstowe, you know the sandbank isn't the shoreline and is ever-changing, so signage is needed.

"Marcus is a good swimmer but is lucky to be alive.”

East Suffolk Council said it does not believe it owns the section of coast where the rescue took place and is therefore not responsible for signage.