Three children, who were thought to have been stuck in mud with "water up to their necks", have been rescued near Southend Pier.

HM Coastguard Southend said they were tasked to reports of three children stuck in mud at around 3:47pm yesterday afternoon.

As the team was en route, the RNLI Southend Lifeboat hovercraft had already been tasked and had the three children in sight just west of Southend Pier.

The coastguards said that the children had become stuck in the mud, and the water had risen up to their necks.

However, it later transpired they had not been in any difficulties whilst in the water as initially reported.

But, at the time, the hovercraft arrived, and rescued the three children before returning to shore, where the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust met with the casualties.

Paramedics provided primary care to check the children over before allowing them to leave with their family members.

Over the last four days, HM Coastguard Southend was also tasked with a number of other incidents of varying taskings.

On Friday, at around 9:21pm, the team was tasked with dealing with a sinking vessel off Thorpe Bay Half Way House.

Coastguard officers checked for any additional contamination discharges.

On Saturday, at 2:58pm, the team was tasked with helping persons stuck in mud opposite Oyster Creek Kitchen.

A spokesman said: "Once officers arrived on scene the persons suspected to have been stuck in the mud were relaxing on the beach and in no need of any assistance.

"So false alarm with good intent."

At 6:43pm, the same day, the team was tasked to reports of two people struggling to paddle back to shore in a dinghy.

A spokesman added: "Coastguard Officers met up with the first informant who pointed to the persons offshore suspected to be struggling heading in a westerly direction.

"Post observing their progress and with the persons now heading in an easterly direction, it was determined that they were just enjoying their time out on the water and were not in any danger.

"So false alarm with good intent."

Should you see anyone in trouble on or near the coast, do not hesitate to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.