PARENTS have been warned of the dangers of allowing their children to play in the mud at Watchet harbour after coastguards found youngsters on mudbanks at the harbour entrance disregarding the rising tide.

Watchet Coastguard this week appealed to them to keep a close eye on their children after two youngsters aged under 13 were seen crossing deep mud to play in the waves below the lighthouse.

A spokesman said: “Despite the deep mud that has gathered both in the marina and outer harbour and is known by all residents in the town, these children appeared unaware of the dangers of the second fastest and highest tide in the world racing in around them, turning the semi- dry top mud back into a liquid in which they could soon become stuck.

“Luckily they came back, albeit covered in mud, before a tragedy occurred.

“We would appeal to parents to know where your children are, especially if they are heading out with swimming gear intent on the dangerous practice of tombstoning or harbour jumping.

“The dangers of the mud are real, entrapment can happen in seconds, and the mud shifts all the time.

“We would rather be seen as spoilsports than have to retrieve someone from the mud, or worse.”