Talacre lighthouse lucky escape for man trapped in mud

The man was walking by the lighthouse on Talacre beach

Coastguards say a man had a lucky escape on Monday when he was rescued after becoming trapped in mud on a north Wales beach.

The 54-year-old was walking near Talacre lighthouse in Flintshire at around 15:30 BST when he became stuck up to his knees.

Coastguards from Rhyl and Flint rescued the man using specialist equipment to loosen the sand.

He was taken to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd hospital suffering with hypothermia.

Andy Carroll, watch manager at Holyhead coastguard station, said the man had laid flat over the sand to increase his surface area to prevent him being sucked even deeper into the mud.

"He was pretty lucky because 30 seconds after rescuers got him out the tide was at their feet," he added.

The historic beach lighthouse was put up for sale with a price tag of £100,000 last year.

It was last used in 1883 but it has since become a popular landmark with visitors to the dunes and nearby holiday park.