WITH holidaymakers regularly having to be rescued by the coastguard in Southend, the borough council has issued safety advice to visitors.

Throughout the summer, rescue crews have been regularly sent out to help people caught out by the incoming tide.

The council posts daily tide tables at the pier information centre and is urging people to check them before going out on the estuary mud.

It also suggests they should find out the location of 18 emergency phones along the seafront and first aid posts at Bell Wharf, Leigh, Marine Parade, Southend and Shoebury East Beach.

Graham Longley, councillor responsible for tourism and economic development at the council, said: “We are seeing regular reports of people being rescued by the coastguard and RNLI, so please be aware you can get cut off in the estuary very quickly, particularly on the mud flats, as the tides come back in suddenly.

“Don’t walk too far out, as many rescues are of people cut off by rising water.

“Also, watch out for slippery rocks, offshore winds and other water users. Footwear is advisable to avoid treading on sharp objects such as broken shells or glass which may be hidden in the sand.”