A WOMAN was taken to hospital after suffering an angina attack when she became trapped in waist-deep mud at Blue Anchor.

The drama unfolded as the 63-year-old walked along the beach shortly before 11.30am on Monday.

Both the woman and her male companion become trapped in thick mud, but while the man managed to free himself uninjured, the woman sank up to her waist.

The incident then triggered a suspected angina attack and the woman was treated by firefighters on-site while Watchet Coastguards used specialist equipment to free her.

They released her within minutes using a high pressure water jet and floating stretcher and pulled her to the safety of hard ground - just two metres away from where she was trapped.

Watchet Coastguard Simon Bale said the woman was carried off the beach by firefighters and coastguard officers and taken to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton for treatment.

"Due to her medical conditions we had requested a helicopter from RAF Chivenor, but on the arrival of the land ambulance and a doctor, the helicopter was stood down," Mr Bale said.

The incident comes just weeks after local coastguard members received specialist training in mud rescue techniques.

"While it is known about the shifting soft sand and mud on Blue Anchor beach, this incident happened inshore in an area not troubled by mud before.

"It happened very close to land in front of the access steps onto the beach near the Driftwood Cafe.

"Coastguards would like to remind people to take care when walking on local beaches as conditions change daily with every tide," Mr Bale said.

Anyone who finds themselves sinking in mud is advised to lie down to spread their weight and to dial 999 for help.

The woman is believed to have been visiting from Warwickshire.