Two children and adult clinging to pier saved by RNLI

A adult and two "lucky" children who were clinging to Blackpool South Pier in the water after getting cut off by the tide have been rescued by a lifeboat crew.

Blackpool RNLI said the three were rescued at about 19:46 BST on Thursday by the inshore lifeboat - its 11th callout in a week - adding it had been "potentially one of the more serious" incidents.

HM Coastguard was alerted that a number of children were in the sea clinging to one of the pier's vertical support posts, with the tide in to the wall.

The lifeboat was manoeuvred alongside the pier and the children were pulled into the boat and taken to waiting paramedics. A second crew rescued the adult, who was higher up the pier support.

Steve Fitzgerald, Blackpool RNLI chair, said: "It has been exceptionally busy this week, with another call this morning, we are now up to 12 in seven days, which is higher then normal.

"We have had a fair mix of calls, so no real common denominator other than the weather and half term.

"Last night's pier call was potentially the most serious, I am confident to say there are two very lucky children waking up with their family today."

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