A warning has been issued after three people had to be rescued from an inflatable dingy which was blown out to sea in strong winds over the weekend.

The Tynemouth RNLI was called out to help three people whose inflatable had been blown offshore on Saturday (June 24) due to strong offshore winds.

The three people on board were transferred to a lifeboat vessel and taken back to shore.

Read more: Man charged in connection with incident which saw armed police swoop on shops

Tynemouth and Tyne and Wear RNLI crews attended the scene off the coast of South Shields.

It has since issued a warning reminding anyone taking to the ocean in the hot weather than inflatables are not suitable at sea.

Tynemouth RNLI said in a statement: “These inflatables are not suitable for the sea and are to only be used in swimming pools.”