THE driver of a car which got stuck in mud on Brean Beach said it was a 'heart-stopping moment' when his three day-old car became trapped near the sea.

BARB Search and Rescue was called at 2.50pm on Sunday (January 13) after Brean's beach discovered the Volkswagen Polo and raised the alarm to the Coastguard Control Centre.

The VW Polo's wheels had sunk into the soft sand and mud half a mile down the beach.

The car's two passengers were unharmed in the incident but the car was stuck in the sand.

In cold, bracing winds,the rescue charity's volunteers attached a rope to the front of the car and hauled it to safety before it was engulfed by the tide.

The driver, who is from Bristol, thanked BARB and the beach warden for their help.

"I've only had the car three days, so it was a heart-stopping moment when it got stuck with the sea close by. I didn't think we were far enough down the beach to get stuck," the driver said.

"I felt embarrassed to need rescuing, but I can't thank the volunteers enough.

"They really were marvellous and I am making a generous donation to BARB to cover their time and costs."

A BARB Search & Rescue spokesman stressed that motorists should always pay attention to warning signs and stay at the top of the beach, keeping to the hard sand.

If you see someone in difficulty along the coast call 999 and ask for the Coastguard for help.