EMERGENCY services rescued a man stuck in a large area of mud and soft sand on the beach at Burnham-on-Sea yesterday (Sunday, June 12).

The Coastguard contacted the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service to assist with the rescue near the pier just before 4pm.

A specialist rescue team and a fire engine from Bridgwater were sent to the incident, along with a fir engine from Burnham and the environmental protection unit and a support appliance from South Molton.

A Devon and Somerset Fire Service spokesperson said: "Once on scene, crews confirmed there was one person stuck in mud up to their knees and the tide was fast approaching.

"Due to the speed of the incoming tide, fire crews donned flood suits and worked with coastguard and hovercraft crews to rescue one person from mud prior to the arrival of some en route crews.

A BARB search and rescue spokesperson said its hovercraft was used to transport two firefighters to the crew, who was freed from the mud and returned to the beach for safety,

They added: "Given the state of the tide, a quick rescue was needed and this was a good multi-agency incident with team working for a positive outcome."