Four people, including a child, have been rescued after being cut off by the tide near the Mulberry Harbour.

The Southend RNLI hovercraft was diverted from a training exercise to rescue four individuals who had found themselves in difficulty.

During a training exercise on Saturday, the Southend RNLI volunteers received a VHF radio transmission from a boat that had spotted four people wading through the water near the Mulberry Harbour on the flooding tide.

The charity's hovercraft, H-004 Vera Ravine, was diverted from the exercise.

Southend RNLI volunteers arrived on the scene minutes after receiving the call to find three adults chest-deep in water and a child being carried by one of the adults wading towards the shore.

A spokesman for the RNLI said: "Between the casualties and the shore lies a channel.

"The casualties would have had difficulties crossing the channel due to the depth of water and incoming tide."

The RNLI volunteers promptly brought the casualties on board the inshore rescue hovercraft Vera Ravine.

The casualties, a little panicked but all in good health, were taken to the shore where a family member collected them.

Jonathan Charnock RNLI commander added: "Whilst launching on a routine training exercise we overheard a radio transmission from a local yachtsman of four people cut off by the tide near the Mulberry harbour.

"Arriving on scene near the Mulberry harbour - approximately 3/4 mile offshore - we found three adults and a child, with the adults nearly chest deep in water and the child holding on to an adults back making any progress was a struggle.

"The swift tasking and actions of the hovercraft crew resulted in all four casualties being safely taken to shore. However, the call out could have drastically changed in minutes.

"At Southend, the Mulberry Harbour is quite the landmark of the town. Whilst it can be walked out to, care must be taken in checking tide times and understanding when the tide will be covering the mud.

"The tide at Southend is fast flowing and a large gutway separates the mulberry harbour from shore. One that should you be stranded the wrong side creates a very difficult challenge to cross.

"Whenever going near the water or on the mud, check tide times and understand when the safe time to return is.

"Let someone know where you are going from / to as well as how long you will be.

"Lastly have a means of calling for help, if you think you might be in trouble dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard."

The casualties were fortunate to be spotted by a vigilant sailor and to have the RNLI hovercraft nearby.