HM Coastguard is urging people to be careful in the sea after recording its highest number of daily call-outs in more than four years.

The Coastguard dealt with 329 incidents on Friday (July 31), including people cut off by the tide and reports of missing children. 

Coastguard rescue teams were called out 232 times, the RNLI were called out 129 times, aircraft were sent out 22 times and hovercraft, three times.

Call outs were heaviest in England, along the East and South coast and the North West.

The area around Liverpool and the Wirral saw the most reported incidents at 26.

The coast along Essex and Kent saw a total of 45 incidents and the coastline between Flamborough and Cromer, 22.

In a statement on Saturday (August 1) Julie-Anne Wood, duty operations director for HM Coastguard said: "Yesterday (Friday) was a beautiful day weather wise in much of the UK. It was less beautiful a day for those who got themselves into trouble and had to be rescued. Some people will remember July 31 for all the wrong reasons.

"We completely understand that people want to enjoy the coast.

"We also know that even the most experienced swimmer, paddleboarder and walker can be caught out by currents and tides respectively.

"We’re heading into some more good weather and we would really ask you to check and double check the tide times – put a timer warning on a smartphone to remind you -  be aware of things like rip currents, and make sure you have a means of contacting us if things do go wrong."

The duty operations director said the coastguard will "always respond when someone calls 999 and asks for the coastguard" but "all we ask in return is that you take extra care at the coast".