Three young men had ‘a very lucky escape’ when caught by a rising tide near the St Audries Bay waterfall on Sunday afternoon and forced to swim for the shore.

A major rescue bid was being launched by Watchet coastguard and Minehead lifeboat was heading for the scene when the three were encircled by a rising tide and found themselves in deep water.

Helped by an onlooker who swam out to their aid, they managed to reach the beach safely, where they were checked by the coastguard for injuries and hypothermia before being allowed home.

“This was a very lucky escape for three young adults,” a Coastguard spokesman said. “They had been encircled by the rising tide with deep water between them and dry land.

“With the water temperature low and a sea mist approaching, they could soon have become disorientated and lost out in the water.

He added: “Our thanks go to a local man who entered the water and helped bring the three ashore. It is important when visiting the coast to always check the weather and the tides and to take a charged phone. This incident could have ended very differently.”