TWO people had to be rescued from the sea as they struggled to get ashore before high tide.

Southend RNLI and Coastguard teams rushed to the people just before 7.10pm yesterday after reports they were waist-deep in the water close the Southend Pier.

Members of the public told Thames Coastguard the pair couldn’t get to shore and the tide was rising.

Southend RNLI launched its hovercraft to try and reach the couple but they eventually were able to wade to ashore with minor injuries to their feet.

Safety advice was given by the Coastguard team.