TWO barrels were recovered by the Coastguard after they washed up on Burnham-on-Sea beach. 

Burnham-on-Sea Coastguard was called at 1.04pm on Saturday (June 6) to investigate reports of two barrels which had washed in with the morning tide. 

The barrels were found laying on the South Beach near to the Coastguard station and two of the team's experienced members were sent out to inspect them. 

Both members are trained in Time Expired Pyrotechnics (TEP) and wore gloves and goggles to protect them from any harmful chemicals which may be inside.

But as they approached the barrel it became clear that it was empty and would not cause harm to anyone.

The duo carried the barrel up to the top of the beahc steps for collection by the council and then moved towards the second barrel.

A spokesperson for the Coastguard said: "The second barrel was further out in the mud and required a full mud set up, in the current climate of Covid-19 it was deemed unessential to recover it as a full mud set up means social distancing Is lowered to get the techs and equipment set up.

"For a rescue this is acceptable but for an empty barrel which we could see it was from our vantage point, the risk outweighs the reward.

"With this instruction, we packed up and headed back to the station where the truck and any equipment was decontaminated ready for the next call.

"This was a good call as any items that wash up need investigating if they had contained anything harmful it could've hurt someone or the local environment.

"If you see anything washed up while at the beach, don't touch it but do dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard and if it needs further investigating they will task the team to have a look."