COASTGUARDS and firefighting crews carried out a dramatic rescue when a holidaymaker became stuck in mud on a West Somerset beach with the tide coming in.

The person was stuck knee-deep in mud on Doniford Beach as the tide had turned when a 999 emergency call was made by their friends and family.

Two mud rescue technicians from Watchet Coastguards kitted up in dry suits and personal floatation devices and dug out the casualty while Williton and Bridgwater firefighters supported them and a Coastguard helicopter from St Athan, Wales, circled overhead.

The person, whom emergency services refused to say was a man or a woman, was uninjured and was escorted off the beach to the caravan site where they were saying to have a shower and to rest.

A Coastguards spokesperson said: “The friends and family of the casualty did exactly the right thing and immediately dialled 999 for assistance.”