Rise in people stuck in beach mud along the east coast prompts warning

Rescuers said they had seen an increase in the number of incidents in recent weeks

The coastguard has issued a warning about the dangers of mud on beaches on the east coast after a number of recent incidents of people getting stuck.

Volunteer teams have been training ahead of the summer season, with more extreme weather making shorelines more unpredictable.

The advice to beachgoers is to carry a mobile phone so they can call 999.

HM Coastguard's Tom Birchall told BBC Look North there had been more callouts recently.

He urged anyone who spotted someone stuck to call the coastguard and not attempt a rescue themselves.

"If you try to go out and rescue someone then there is potential you are going to become a casualty yourself," he said.

The advice to beachgoers is to carry a mobile phone and call 999 if they get stuck

The team's Dave Rea added: "We are not here to judge people if they get into trouble - we are here to help. That's what the coastguard is about."

As well as people becoming stranded, a council beach safety buggy recently became stranded in the Cleethorpes mud.

The vehicle belonging to North East Lincolnshire Council's beach safety team got stuck while trying to help people at risk of being cut off by the sea.

The vehicle had been deployed to warn people of the approaching tide using its speaker system.

A council spokesperson said: "Unfortunately, whilst attending the incident, one of its wheels became stuck and, despite our best efforts to rescue it, it had to be abandoned due to the rising tide."

Meanwhile, last month, a porpoise had to be helped back out to sea after getting stranded on mud flats in the Humber Estuary.