A COASTGUARD has issued a warning after a child was blown out to the sea on an inflatable toy.

Furness Coastguard were called out yesterday, May 26 to reports of a child on an inflatable toy was being blown out to sea.

The child’s parent was also swimming out to help.

The coastguard was already on station preparing for the Pride event in Barrow and so responded 'very quickly'.

The team was en-route to the incident at Earnse Bay, when a stand-down message was given that the child was safely ashore.

A spokesperson for Furness Coastguard said: "Although inflatables like the one in the picture may look fun, HM Coastguard has issued a reminder to beachgoers this weekend, that inflatables are not for the coast. It follows multiple incidents across the country of people needing help after their inflatable was blown out to sea.

"If you find yourself or see someone else in difficulty around the coastline or on Windermere, Coniston, Derwentwater or Ullswater, CALL #999 and ask for the Coastguard."