SOUTHEND'S coastguard teams rescued a "heavily intoxicated" female who was threatening to enter the water.

HM Coastguard Southend was called out at 4.10am on Sunday morning by the woman's friends.

Once at the scene the team met with Essex Police and it became clear the friends had lost sight of the female as they had run out on to the mudflats opposite Genting Casino.

A shoreline search took place with extra support being called in from the RNLI Southend Lifeboat hovercraft.

After a brief search, a police officer spotted something in the distance about 200m offshore.

A spokesman for the Southend Coastguard said: "Coastguard officers then narrowed down the search in that area and were then able to confirm the object was a possible person laying down in the mud.

"Southend Coastguard then directed the hovercraft to the area where we had observed the person to be and the hovercraft crew were able to confirm it was the casualty we had been looking for who was intoxicated.

"The casualty was then brought back on the hovercraft and into the hands of waiting HM Coastguard officers."

The ambulance service had already been called to the scene and took the woman to hospital.

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The spokesman added: "This is yet another demonstration of how Southend emergency services, working together, were quickly able to bring this incident to a safe conclusion with the casualty getting the help they needed.

"With an incoming tide and an intoxicated casualty lost out on the mudflats it might have ended all so differently without the quick reactions of our emergency service teams today 999family.

"We wish the casualty a quick recovery.

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