EMERGENCY services rescued six children cut off by the incoming tide at Watergate Bay.

Worried parents had reported their children missing to RNLI lifeguards on Sunday, June 2, shortly before 2pm.

The lifeguards initially searched the beach area before launching their rescue water craft to look around the small coves in the vicinity.

The lifeguard service alerted the coastguard who tasked the lifeboat crew and Newquay Coastguard Search and Rescue Team to assist in the search as the tide was fast approaching.

The casualties were quickly located in an area north of Zacharys Rock and the lifeguard was placed on scene to reassure the casualties and help to guide the crew in the D class through submerged rocks in order to begin recovering the casualties.

The charity's Atlantic stood by with extra crew should they be needed, however the D class crew were able to take the casualties in two groups of three back to their families who were waiting on Watergate Beach.

The family, who were on holiday in the area, were grateful to be reunited and all assets were stood down at around 2.30pm.

A spokesperson for Newquay Lifeboat Station said: “While the weather was good and the sea state reasonably calm, the crew confirmed that due to the location of hidden rocks and the incoming tide, it was still a challenging recovery.

“However, due to the excellent team work with the lifeguards the operation was made a lot smoother.”

Elsewhere Falmouth Coastguard requested a lifeboat launch to reports of three people cut off by the incoming tide on rocks close to Newquay Harbour on Sunday, May 26, at 5.50pm.

The charity's D class lifeboat was launched and recovered a man who was taken back to the lifeboat station.

A further casualty was assisted by a member of the public, out of the rocks and back to the harbour via the steps.

The remaining casualty was thrown a lifebuoy ring by a different member of the public, and with help from a lifeguard on duty at Towan Beach made it safely to the harbour via the south quay steps.

Newquay Lifeboats has issued safety advice following the two incidents.

A spokesperson said: “Tide times and heights vary throughout the month and can easily leave people stranded and needing help.

“To avoid getting cut off by the tide before you head out, make sure it's safe. Check the tide tables. While you're out, be aware of your surroundings and the tide's direction.

“As the tide moves up and down the beach, the depth of the water changes throughout the day, sometimes by as much as 10 metres.

“In any coastal emergency, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.”