Surfers rescued after 'massive swell'

The coastguard said the sea conditions meant a helicopter had to be deployed

Surfers in difficulty in rough seas off the coast of Devon have been rescued by the coastguard.

Lynmouth Coastguard Search and Rescue was tasked at 12:30 GMT Monday after reports of surfers stranded on rocks off of Lynmouth.

The coastguard said it requested its helicopter "straight away" and said it was quickly established there were two surfers in difficulty.

It said "massive swell" meant the RNLI's lifeboat had been unable to reach them and they were winched to safety by the helicopter team and taken back to shore.

An RNLI lifeboat was unable to reach two of the surfers in the challenging conditions, the coastguard said

While the coastguard helicopter was winching the surfers to safety, a third surfer got into difficulty - and the RNLI's all-weather lifeboat was deployed, Lynmouth Coastguard Search and Rescue said.

The surfer was taken back to Ilfracombe, where they were treated for their injuries and handed over to the ambulance service, it added.

Lynmouth Coastguard Search and Rescue said: "If you are ever in trouble around the coast or think someone else might be dial 999 and ask for the coastguard."