'Intoxicated' woman rescued from beach mud

Several emergency service workers helped carry the woman on a stretcher for 800m

An "intoxicated female" got stuck face down in beach mud, prompting a major rescue, coastguard officials have said.

She was found unconscious at Crosby Beach, in Merseyside, by emergency services who gave her oxygen after her friends called 999 on Saturday evening.

A HM Coastguard representative said they were joined by police and fire officers as they carried the woman on a stretcher for about half a mile (800m) across the sand to an ambulance.

Coastguard rescue officer Daniel Aspey said they "wish the casualty a full and speedy recovery", adding that she was "very lucky that her friends called 999 for the coastguard".

"Mud can be extremely dangerous - and when combined with alcohol or drugs, the risk increases significantly," he added.

HM Coastguard said the woman was "very lucky that her friends called 999"

Mr Aspey said a paramedic on the beach and coastguard officers searched for the individual in their specialist 4x4 vehicle.

"We were fortunate to have the support of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Merseyside Police and North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust for a difficult stretcher carry across the sand," he added.