COASTGUARDS were called out after concerns were raised over an adult who had taken four young children out in the sea off Saltburn in an inflatable canoe.

A concerned member of the public raised the alarm with the Humber Coastguard after spotting them in the sea.

Redcar Coastguard was called out at about 6.15pm and the occupants made their way back to the beach, where they were given "stern advice" on taking inflatables out to sea because of the lack of safety aids.

A coastguard spokesman said: "The casualties were cold and wet but otherwise ok.

"Yet again this shows the pure lack of education in taking inadequate steps to ensure one's safety in taking these types of inflatables to sea.

These are too easily bought off the shelf to the general public in low budget stores and no advice is given on its use at the time of purchase.

"Fortunately the 1st informant had seen the casualty at sea from the clifftops and raised concerns by calling 999 and asking for the Coastguard. If the caller had not done so there could have been a far worse outcome."