The RNLI and coastguards have issued a warning to the public in Pembrokeshire following recent incidents at the county’s beaches involving rip currents sweeping sea-goers away.

At Manorbier beach last week (July 28) surfers sprang into action in the afternoon after spotting two youngsters on bodyboards some 200 metres from the shore in difficulty.

The pair were brought to safety, but in the meantime their mother had also entered the water and had been swept off her feet by the tide and carried into the sea.

She was brought back to the shore on one of the surfer’s boards, who described the rip in Manorbier as ‘deadly’ when the tide is high.

Further people on bodyboards also got into difficulty at the same location last week by getting swept out to sea, with surfers stating that there could have been ‘several tragedies’ if they hadn’t been in the vicinity to act.

On Saturday (August 1) there was a multi-agency response at Freshwater West beach from the Coastguard, RNLI, police and ambulance service and after a child got trapped in a rip current.

Two surfers who rescued the little boy and brought him back to shore safe and well were praised on social media that night for their heroic response.

In Wales last year RNLI lifeguards dealt with 165 incidents involving rip currents.

RNLI Head of Water Safety Gareth Morrison stated in a warning to the public: “Our coastline is a fantastic place to spend time together as a family but there are also plenty of potential dangers, especially for those who aren’t fully aware of their surroundings.

“Rip currents cause most incidents in the water that RNLI lifeguards deal in Wales and across the UK.

“We are seeing a spike in incidents this summer involving these potentially deadly currents, which move even faster than an Olympic swimmer and can quickly drag people into deeper water away from the shore.

“It’s important that anybody venturing in or near the sea knows, not just what rip currents are, but how to react if they are caught in one or see someone else in trouble.

“They are difficult to spot and even the most experienced and strongest swimmers can find themselves caught out so it’s important where possible to use beaches that have lifeguards patrolling on them,” he added.

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “Are you visiting the beach during the school summer holiday? Please be aware of the hidden danger of rip tides – they can occur anywhere and catch even the most experienced swimmer out.

“If you are caught in a strong current try to stay as calm as possible, raise you hand and shout for help.

“If you can’t get help, try and swim parallel to the beach until you are out of trouble and then swim to shore.

“If you get into trouble at the beach or along the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”