Coastguard teams have issued a warning to Southend beach-goers, after rescuing two dogs and their owners during a sweep of the beach.

During yesterday's rescue (August 10), Southend Coastguard teams were tasked by Dover Coastguard to take to the station viewing platform and get eyes on a whole host of day-trippers, who were making their way back during incoming tide.

Amongst them were two people with their two dogs, who caught the teams interest from fear they could struggle across the flooding water channels between the sandbanks.

The RNLI Southend Hovercraft was then dispatched before performing a swoop of the shore, opposite Uncle Toms Shoebury up towards Southend Pier.

During their mission, 12 casualties were extracted from the water before being returned to safety- two of which needed who needed treatment for minor cuts.

After making sure no further visitors were in danger out on the water, Southend Coastguard and RNLI teams stood down and made their way back to base.

Read more:

Mum's mad dash to hospital sees her give birth in the disabled toilet

Firefighters race to rescue trapped driver from vehicle after crash near ASDA

Coastguard teams have now issued advice to seafront visitors, urging them to be careful when out in the water.

A spokesperson from the Southend Coastguard crew, said: "Please avoid walking out on the mud/sand flats at low tide.

"The tides come in fast at right angles to the beach and there is high risk of getting cut off by the tide- the foreshore is covered in channels and sand banks which do move over time.

"Do not walk out to any man made hazards or structures at low tide you may see in the near or far distance off Southend, you will put you and your families lives at risk.

"If you’re in difficulty in the water, fight your instinct. Float to live. Cold water can be silent and deadly. Even on the warmest of days, it kills.

"Should you see anyone in trouble on or near the coast, don’t hesitate to dial 999 and ask for the doastguard, you could save someone’s life."