BEACH patrol teams which helped in the search for tragic Stella Akanbi have been given counselling after receiving “unwelcome comments”.

They have come in for criticism from a minority of beach-goers after the ten-year-old drowned off Clacton on August 16.

Tendring Council’s Clacton beach patrol team was first on the scene when the Milton Keynes youngster went missing.

They were joined by patrollers from Brightlingsea and Walton, Thames Coastguard, Clacton RNLI, police and the RAF search and rescue helicopter.

The 24-hour search came to a tragic end when her body was spotted close to where she was last seen, off Palace Beach.

Nigel Brown, Tendring Council’s communications manager, said some members of the public had made unwelcome comments to the beach patrol team.

He said: “These comments have been very much the exception rather than the norm and the majority of people have been supportive.

“Most people appreciate they did everything possible in the circumstances, as did the RNLI, coastguard and police.”

Mr Brown said the team was grateful to all those who had shown their support for them at a difficult time, including Stella’s family. Last week, Stella’s family thanked all the agencies that assisted in the rescue operation.

Mr Brown added: “The tragic death has hit a number of people very hard – not least the members of the beach patrol team who were the first on the scene.

“They have been offered support through this difficult time and that situation will continue as long as is necessary.”

n Essex’s coroner’s office has confirmed an inquest into Stella’s death has been opened and adjourned until a later date.