The mother of a teenage boy found critically ill on a beach after he was involved in what police describe as "an alcohol abuse related incident" is warning young people to "stop and think" before they experiment with drink.

The 14-year-old youth, who has not been named, was airlifted to hospital after he collapsed in a semi-conscious state at Tenby's South Beach on Saturday afternoon.

"This has shocked my son," his mother told the Observer this week.

"He honestly did not realise what effects the alcohol would have on him, and the knock-on consequences to his family and the emergency services," she said.

"If he had been left five or ten minutes longer he could have died. My son knows he has done wrong; he has certainly learnt his lesson and won't be doing anything like this again. It really has scared him. He is sorry and very embarrassed.

"Even though kids experiment, my message to them is to stop and think about the effects that alcohol can have on them before they make a decision. It could mean someone dying," she stressed.

The emergency services were alerted to the incident by friends of the local youth at approximately 3.30 pm.

Ambulance personnel, coastguards and the police attended and discovered the youth, who attends the town's Greenhill School, in a critical condition in the dunes near the beach car park.

The youth's condition was stabilised at the scene through the prompt attention of the paramedics. However, his condition was such that he was airlifted by the Wales Air Ambulance to Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, where he received further medical treatment and was detained overnight. He was allowed home the following day and has since returned to school.

"There is no doubt that without the prompt and professional attendance of paramedics that a far more serious incident could have developed," said a police spokesman, who also paid tribute to the air ambulance.

"This also shows how invaluable the Wales Air Ambulance helicopter is and that it should be appreciated by the residents of Pembrokeshire," he commented.

Police have subsequently confirmed that the incident involved alcohol abuse and the youth concerned had been supplied with drink purchased by someone over the age of 18.

The youth was one of a group of boys and girls to be at the dunes area at the time and although there is no suggestion that the others had been drinking, in the presence of their parents, all the teenagers have now been spoken to by police officers and warned regarding the dangers of alcohol abuse.

Officers will also be liaising with their school in order to emphasise the dangers of not only alcohol, but other substance abuse as well.

The incident has led to police officers expressing concern regarding the gathering of young persons in the dunes on South Beach, the Jubilee playground and other areas, for the purpose of consuming alcohol under age.

"It has been highlighted recently the dangers of alcohol abuse, especially in young persons," continued the police spokesman.

"The parents of juveniles/young persons should be aware of the dangers involved and their parental responsibility," he stressed.

"Members of the public are reminded that they commit an offence if they purchase and supply alcohol to young people under the age of 18, and anyone found doing so will be prosecuted," he warned.

When contacted by the Observer, headmaster of Greenhill School, Mr. Chris Noble, said that he was "extremely relieved that the incident had not turned into a huge tragedy."

"Certainly it is an alarming situation and young people must take this as a severe warning as what can happen if you abuse alcohol in the way this person did," he said.

"The implications of alcohol abuse are very frightening and what is more disturbing is the fact that older people had bought the alcohol, which is wholly irresponsible," he continued.

"The school is dealing with the matter and we will be reminding pupils of what is sensible behaviour and what is not, and the dangers lying behind all these things."