Rescuers come to aid of jet-skis stranded on the sandbanks off the coast of Fleetwood

The stricken water sport vehicles were spotted by National Coastwatch volunteers manning the Rossall Point observation tower, with a lifeboat and crew from the town's RNLI station called out alongside Coastguard rescuers at around 4pm yesterday.

Coastguard officer Mark Sumner said the jet-skis, ridden over from Knott End by two men, were around a mile out at sea. One had broken down, with the other also becoming stranded after trying to come to his aid, he said.

The sand was too soft to launch a rescue attempt with a tractor or 4x4 with trailer, he added, with the jet-skis brought back by the lifeboat late last night once the tide had come back in.

Neither man was hurt.