An off-duty coastguard out for an evening stroll ended up saving two boys from drowning.

A third boy was rescued by a surfer after the youngsters got into trouble trying to swim against the tide at Saltburn, east Cleveland.

Skinningrove-based coastguard Paul Waugh was walking along the beach with his daughter when he heard cries for help.

He alerted the Coastguard before springing into action to save the 11-year-old boys.

"I heard this commotion and it was clear these two lads were stuck out there by the pier," he said.

"I climbed over the edge of the pier and thankfully there was a life rescue ring. I managed to get one to one of the boys and told him to put it over his head and I dragged him to shore before going back for the other one. A third boy was taken ashore by a surfer.

"The boys we saved were frightened to death but some of their mates continued to jump in to the sea even after I spoke to them."

The rescued boys were from the Saltburn area and part of a group of about 15 youngsters jumping into the sea.

Tony Ellis, watch manager at Humber Coastguard, said: "All across the coast we get young people jumping off cliffs into little rockpools.

"They call it tomb-stoning. We think it is a sadly appropriate name and I would like to take this opportunity to warn the young people and their parents about how dangerous this can be."

Mr Ellis stressed that Paul Waugh was a trained coastguard but other members of the public should not enter the water if they see a swimmer in distress but call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.