Two families had to be rescued after they were caught waist-deep in fast oncoming tides.

Flookburgh-based Bay Search and Rescue (BSAR) joined Holyhead Coastguard in the rescue at Silverdale after a concerned member of the public dialled 999.

The onlooker was sat in an elevated position and could see the families cut off by the tide on the wrong side of a deep gully which runs along the edge of Silverdale shore car park.

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Unbeknownst to the families, who had children and dogs with them, the waves were breaking hundreds of metres away in the main flowing water.

As a result the groups ended up waist-deep as they waded through the fast-filling gully carrying children on their shoulders along with push chairs, tents, picnic rugs and baskets.

The dogs were described as being content to jump into the waters and swim to safety.

BSAR members aided the rescue and managed to take the items off them.

The dramatic rescue lasted around 15 minutes however if it had been much longer, rescuers said the tide would have risen another couple of feet reaching chest level for most of the adults present.

Three warning signs have now been placed at the exits of the commonly used walking routes off the car park in response to an increasing number of incidents here.

(Image: Bay Search and Rescue) BSAR say it, along with Arnside & South Lakes Coastguard Rescue Team and Morecambe Lifeboat, have been called to this area 'dozens of times.'

Last month, 50 people were cut off nor far away at Morecambe Bay. 

A spokesperson for BSAR said: "We hope that these signs catch people’s attention as the take a walk prompting them to check the tide time.

"We’ve made it so easy. We have studied the tidal movement in this gully along with local residents and landowners - these signs relate to this immediate area only as it is a trouble hotspot.

"Following the placement of the signs we have already seen a more cautious approach to visitors setting foot on the sands, and whilst observing and speaking to walkers and horse riders, their comment was that it’s very easy to use, which is great news.

"Remember if you see someone in difficulty on the coast do not delay, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard."

(Image: Bay Search and Rescue) BSAR says when incidents like this occur, the coastguard not only deploys its local teams, such as Arnside Coastguard Team, but also other teams like the Royal National Lifeboat Institution who are completely voluntary.

BSAR utilises special assets such as its Sherp - an amazing vehicle that is completely amphibious and can swim across fast moving channels to get to people who are cut off. 

The registered charity survives on donations.

Station manager Gary Parsons added: "Please visit our shops in Milnthorpe, Grange and Kendal.

"Whether you're donating goods or buying them, it helps us pay for things like the signs we’ve made for this area, and if successful we will continue to place in other areas."