TWO men who got into difficulty while surfing yesterday had to undergo medical treatment on the beach before being airlifted to hospital.

At 2.15pm, the coastguard received a call after the two men, believed to be in their 20s, were spotted in difficulty near the Stray Cafe, at Redcar, east Cleveland.

The town's lifeboat was diverted from a harbour fete at Hartlepool, as was as an RAF Sea King helicopter, which was making its way to the same event.

The Redcar Inshore Lifeboat was also sent to the scene.

A woman helped the men to the shore, where they were treated by RNLI doctor Roger Smith and paramedics.

Both men were then airlifted to the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.

It is believed the men, who have not been named, were from Eastern Europe.

On Saturday last week, eight-year-old Jordan Moon, from Hartlepool, died when a wave pulled him out to sea at Seaton Carew, near Hartlepool.

He was jumping in the water's edge when a large wave knocked him over.

Despite attempts to save him, he was swept out to sea.

A search and rescue team winched him from the sea minutes later, and he was taken to the James Cook University Hospital, where staff were unable to revive him.