Southend coastguard has put out a safety notice after it was tasked to reports of four missing teenage swimmers off Jubilee Beach.

A friend of the swimmers called 999 and asked for the coastguard yesterday after she lost sight of them.

She had seen them quite some distance offshore and drifting in an easterly direction due to the strong outgoing tide, so was concerned for their welfare.

Coastguard officers were called at 4.30pm, quickly arrived on the scene and started to co-ordinate a search, whilst RNLI Southend lifeboat crews were launched to the east of Jubilee Beach.

Whilst the RNLI were searching they spotted four swimmers matching the same clothing coming ashore near the old gas jetty eastern esplanade and were able to report back it was believed to be the four reported missing.

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The teens made their own way back to the location where they were reunited with their friends.

A quick welfare check was made by officers but no further medical assistance was required.

The coastguard has now issued a warning to residents visiting the coastline.

A spokesman said: "If you're visiting our local coastline please remember the city of Southend and surrounding areas are located on an estuary flood plain which means the tide comes in and goes out twice a day.

"Depending on prevailing weather conditions and tide cycle, tides can move very quickly and if you plan to swim some distance from shore on an outgoing tide, you could be caught out by the strength of the outgoing tides."

They added: "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."