AN OFF-DUTY coastguard has told how he saved two boys from drowning as he took an evening stroll.

A third boy was rescued by a surfer after the youngsters found themselves in trouble swimming against the tide at Saltburn at about 7pm on Wednesday.

Skinningrove coastguard Paul Waugh was walking along the beach with his daughter when he heard cries for help.

Mr Waugh contacted the Coastguard service before springing into action to save the 11-year-old boys.

He said: "I heard a commotion and it was clear these two lads were stuck out there by the pier. I climbed over the edge of the pier and, thankfully, there was a life rescue ring. I managed to get it to one of the boys and told him to put it over his head, then I dragged him to shore before going back for the other one. A third boy was taken ashore by a surfer.

"The boys we saved were frightened to death but some of their mates continued to jump in to the sea even after I spoke to them."

Mr Waugh said that the rescued boys were from the Saltburn area and part of a group of about 15 youngsters. He gave them and the others a warning about the dangers of jumping off the pier, especially once the tide had changed. However, some of the boys ignored him.

The coastguard said other young people jumped into the sea at Skinningrove, close to some rocks.

Tony Ellis, watch manager at Humber Coastguard, logs incidents of accidents along the east coast.

He said: "All across the coast we get young people jumping off cliffs into little rockpools. They call it tomb-stoning. We think it is a sadly appropriate name and I would like to take this opportunity to warn the young people and their parents about how dangerous this can be."

Mr Ellis said that Paul Waugh was a trained coastguard, and urged members of the public not to enter the water if they see a swimmer in distress but to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.