A CAR which sunk into the sand on Burnham-on-Sea beach has been recovered. 

Burnham-on-Sea Coastguard and BARB launched a rescue mission on Sunday (February 11) to save a family whose car had become stuck on Burnham-on-Sea beach. 

But on rescuing the family, the car was abandoned as the coastguard's tractor was unable to reach it. 

Images released by the coastguard show the car was nearly fully submerged in the sand following the incident and was badly damaged and filled with sand. 

Coastguard crew were called to the beach at 11am today to provide safety cover for the car recovery team.

A spokesman for Burnham Coastguard, said: "We spotted a part of the car had become detached and was a few hundred yards along the beach.

"The recovery team arrived in force with some heavy winching vehicles and chains, once on scene they quickly set about preparing for the task in hand while we ensured public kept a safe distance.

"They were confident the car would pull out fairly easily even though it was now submerged up to the windows.

"Within a couple of minutes of commencing winching the cat popped up out of it's watery trappings and was dragged back up the beach to the flat bed lorry for removal.

"Even while this was happening we still had to advise people in cars not to drive down the beach to get a better view as they were in danger and to return to safer ground.

"This incident has gained a lot of publicity from news agencies and we hope that it can go some way to raising awareness of beach safety.

"Mistakes happen and can be costly, but if you stay near the top of the beach and within the designated area, check the tide times then the beach is as safe as anywhere else."

If you see anyone in difficulty along the coast Dial 999 and ask for the Coastguards.