COASTGUARDS were called out tonight after three youths were reported stranded on rocks in the sea.

Police alerted the Humber Coastguard at 8.54pm after the group was spotted in the water at Souter Lighthouse, near Marsden, Sunderland.

The police helicopter was used to monitor the situation, while Coastguards attended the scene and a lifeboat was put on standby.

The youths were initially stranded on the rocks, but as the tide went out, they managed to walk back through the water to dry land.

The emergency services were stood down shortly before 10.20pm.