A NINE-year-old girl was helped by the Coastguard after she injured her ankle while playing on sand dunes on Brean beach.

Burnham-on-Sea Coastguard were paged at around 4pm yesterday (August 23) after a Brean beach warden found the injured girl. 

The young girl and her family who had been enjoying a holiday in the area were visiting the beach and the children were exploring the sand dunes when she  jumped and injured her ankle.

The RNLI Lifeguards, who were covering the neighbouring beach were requested and they quickly made their way to the scene to help.

Fortunately, the youngsters injury was minor and it was decided that her parents would take her to the hospital.

Crew from the Coastguard used one of their stretchers to carry the girl off the beach to a car park and shortly after her parents took her to hospital. 

A spokesman for Burnham Coastguard Rescue Team said: "She was very brave helping to move herself onto the stretcher and into the car, plus she also had to put up with some of the team members truly awful jokes.

"However we did promise her that as she had been so brave Mum and Dad had to treat her to a really big ice cream, some candy floss and whatever else she wanted.

"It looked like a big list was being made as they departed.

"A big well done to all involved.

"Once again the RNLI Lifeguards are showing what a valuable asset they are to our local beaches.

"And the beach wardens are always around working hard for your safety, rain or shine.

"Sometimes these can be thankless tasks."

If you see anyone in distress or danger at the beach call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.