SEVERAL crash mats were recovered from a beach by Burnham Coastguard following calls from a concerned beach warden.

The Coastguard were called at 9.49am on Monday (May 20) to Brean Beach after receiving reports a large object had washed ashore.

When the Coastguard arrived they initially thought the object was a deflated boat and they were concerned people could be missing in the water.

The beach warden went closer to inspect the item but there were no people in site and said they did not think it was a dinghy.

Two members of Burnham Coastguard donned lifejackets, safety hats and gloves and set off to investigate.

As they approached the item it soon became clear that it was crash mats that are used on building sites.

The mats are placed at the base of scaffolding or other high working areas so if all other forms of safety devices fail it at least break their fall and prevents major injuries occurring.

Two members of the Coastguard who just happened to have recently passed their Crash Mat Dragging Competency assessments showed off their new found skills and dragged the mats up the beach and loaded them into the Brean Beach Wardens van for disposal.

A spokesman for Burnham Coastguard, said: "Although it wasn't anything life-threatening, the way it was sat made it look like it could possibly have been a boat washed in on the tide.

"That would have meant possible missing persons so it was well worth investigating.

"For the sake of a few minutes of our time it was good to ensure it wasn't anything untoward.

"Thanks to the first informant who called it in and as always the Brean beach warden.

"If ever you are in any doubt about something that has washed in or been uncovered by the tide then call 999 and ask for the Coastguard."