COASTGUARDS have issued a warning after two women had to be dragged to safety when they got stuck in mud left by a landslide.

The mother and daughter were walking along the beach at Whitby, North Yorkshire, on Saturday afternoon, when they became trapped in the quicksand-like mud.

The alarm was raised by the daughter, who called 999 at 3.50pm and reported to Humber Coastguard that her mother had become stuck.

She became trapped herself as she tried to help her mother to get free.

A team of coastguards was sent to rescue them.

The incident took place near Whitby Golf Club in the Upgang area, between Whitby and Sandsend.

A family of four is also thought to have got into problems.

Alex Harris, watch officer for Humber Coastguard, said the issue was made worse because the mud had mixed with the sand, making it difficult for unsuspecting walkers to spot.

He said: “The women were walking along the beach and they had become stuck and called us to make us aware of the situation.

“We are advising people as much as possible and we have spoken to Scarborough Borough Council, who will deal with it.

“It could have been a lot worse as we are having the Spring tides and the patch is below the waterline.

“Someone on their own without the means to call for help could have been trapped with the tide coming in.

“There is potential for more earth to wash away due to all of the heavy rain we have had.”

He said council officials were to look at the area affected yesterday.

Mr Harris said it was not unusual for this type of landslide to happen, but he did not often hear of people becoming trapped.

No one from Scarborough Borough Council could be contacted to comment on the incident yesterday.