THREE boys were rescued by Redcar lifeboat after they were found hanging on to the legs of Saltburn Pier.

The drama began just after 7.30pm last Thursday when the Redcar relief Atlantic Lifeboat was launched following a report that a small boat was in trouble off Huntcliff cliffs at Saltburn.

When the lifeboat arrived at the scene it found there was not a problem and was going back to Redcar when coastguards, returning from the same area, spotted the youths.

The youngsters, thought to be local boys aged between 10 and 13, were hanging on to the legs at the end of the pier.

Helmsman Mark Reeves manoeuvred the lifeboat alongside the pier legs and two of the boys were taken aboard. The third decided to swim for the shore, but managed only about 20 metres before he started to struggle and was pulled into the lifeboat.

The youths were landed on the beach but ran off before coastguards could check their condition and offer advice.

Dave Cammish, from Redcar lifeboat, said: "Issuing advice and warnings at this time of year is like King Canute trying to stop the tide coming in, but I appeal to everyone to take the greatest care at the seaside this summer.

"There have been a lot of kids hanging around the beach during the afternoons. The kids are attracted to the legs of the pier. These boys had waded out while the tide was quite low and were just swimming about.

"It can get to a certain point when the tide is coming in and the water just washes over them, but I think it was at the point where it was starting to become serious.

"They were extremely grateful but they thought they were going to be in trouble so they ran off pretty quickly.

"Perhaps they don't realise how one thing can lead to another and they are so soon out of their depth."

A £1m restoration of the Victorian pier, including extensive works to the pier legs, was completed just a few weeks ago.