Coastguards have alerted sunseekers to the perils of using dinghies when the tide is going out after emergency services were called to rescue two teenagers off Thorney Bay, Canvey.

Gravesend lifeboat and the island coastguard swung into action after a 999 call was made by a member of the public at around 4.20pm yesterday.

Eventually the youngsters, who were unhurt, managed to swim back.

A spokesman for Essex coastguard warned: "We urge people to be careful when taking inflatable rafts out into the water as the current can be stronger than they realise."

Published Wednesday, August 6, 2003

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