A SERIES of potentially-lethal accidents off Southend beaches has prompted calls for more safety warnings to be posted.

Cousins who saved two boys’ lives have urged Southend Council to put up more signs telling bathers how to stay out of danger.

On Friday afternoon, Joanne Corboy, 37, from Leigh, and Catherine Osborne, 43, from Westcliff, spotted two 11-year-olds struggling in the water off Chalkwell Beach.

Ms Corboy and a male passer-by went into the water and dragged the youngsters out, while Ms Osborne stayed on shore and called the emergency services. The boys, called Liam and Shane, were taken to Southend Hospital for treatment.

Days after the rescue, the two women called for more warnings and extra safety equipment.

Ms Corboy said: “Safety around the beach really needs to be highlighted, because the tide does come in quickly in Chalkwell. The boys were unsupervised and when I jumped in, there was nothing nearby for me to grab to help float them back to shore.

“I consider myself a strong swimmer, but even I had trouble swimming. It has made me more aware of the dangers.

“We need better signs. The boys were both so polite and brave, but they thought they were going to die. It could have been prevented if more information had been around.”

Southend RNLI spokesman Den Freeman said there were already some safety boards along the seafront and urged swimmers to take notice of them.

Mr Freeman added: “The advice we give is to be aware of the surroundings, know the times of the tides and look at the weather conditions as they affect the water.

“But even locals get caught out, so I can understand the concerns raised.”

Scott Dolling, Southend Council’s tourism manager, said: “We do provide boards across the seafront with safety information. We also employ resort assistants through the season to patrol and help assist visitors with matters including safety and first aid.”