Two teenagers who were swept out to sea on a paddleboard along Southend seafront have been rescued.

On Friday, volunteers from Southend RNLI were called to help two teenagers, one kilometre south of Ocean Beach café.

The first day of the summer holiday was in full swing, when the emergency services were alerted at 3.04pm.

The alarm was initially raised by an observant bystander, who noticed the teenagers drifting away from shore, apparently struggling to paddle against the tide.

The RNLI hovercraft crew arrived at the reported position at 3.24pm, quickly locating the two casualties on the paddleboard.

A spokesman said: "The teenagers were cold and slightly flustered but in good health.

"Southend RNLI hovercraft crew took the casualties and their paddleboard back to shore where HM Coastguard Southend who had eyes on the casualties throughout were waiting.

"No matter how experienced you may be on your craft this incident highlights the importance of checking tides for the area and being fully prepared before going out on the water.

"If you see someone in trouble, always call 999 immediately and ask for the coastguard. "

By 3.55pm, hovercraft H-004 Vera Ravine had returned to its station.

Despite the successful rescue, the RNLI has urged members of the public to stay clear from the launch area when asked to by volunteers.

Southend RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer Nigel Gilchrist added: "This was a great job by the volunteer crew, a fast and efficient rescue.

"However, Southend lifeboat volunteers faced challenges launching the lifeboat as they tried to clear people from the launch area.

"We kindly ask, if you hear the RNLI lifeboat launch siren or RNLI volunteer crew ask you to vacate the launch area, please leave the area as quickly as you’re able.

"Behind the closed gates there is a safe area to view the hovercraft and lifeboat launches.

"The area must be cleared, and gates closed before we can launch the rescue craft for the safety of the public and volunteer crew.

"Although both teens who we brought back were fine on this occasion when we reached them, a delay in launching can put a casualty at serious risk, and a few minutes can make a huge difference whether a rescue is successful or not."

For RNLI stand up paddleboarding tips and safety advice, visit https://rnli.org/.../choose-your.../stand-up-paddle-boarding