A father and son were flown to safety in a rescue hovercraft after getting stuck in deep mud almost a mile from the shore at Weston.

On Sunday, Burnham Area Rescue Boat (BARB) Search and Rescue’s hovercraft was called out by Weston Coastguards to fly the eight year-old boy and his father out of danger.

A spokesman for the coastguard said: “The two had waded out across the mudflats to reach the sea on what was a very warm afternoon.

“They were seen struggling through the mud with a fast incoming tide nearby, so for their welfare the hovercraft was given the task of flying them back to safety.”

Two Weston Coastguard members were flown on the BARB hovercraft out to the pair at the tideline.

The father and son were helped onboard and taken back to the beach near Weston Pier and given safety advice.

BARB chairman Mark Newman said: “It was a busy afternoon for BARB’s volunteer crew. The hovercraft was already in Weston for the town’s rescue services day and it also helped Weston Coastguards check on the welfare of six other mud walkers who were seen wading out towards the sea between the Grand Pier at Uphill.

“Our advice is to heed the warning signs and stay at the top of the beach away from mud and soft sand.”