ROYAL National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeguard Ross Hamley saved three children who were being swept out of their depth on Northcott Beach near Bude on Sunday (May 30).

Ross said: "I had been with my girlfriend and her parents having a cream tea in the tearoom above Northcott beach and we were just walking back when I noticed five children bodyboarding.

"There was about four foot of surf running and a strong wind which was making conditions pretty treacherous so I was immediately concerned. I jogged down to get a closer look and could see two of them were in knee depth water, but there were three, a girl and two boys aged between seven and 12 years old who were about 40 metres out and struggling in the choppy conditions.

"One of the boys had lost his bodyboard so there were two of them clinging to one board with surf crashing over their heads. The girl was even further out and the waves and strong current were making it difficult for her to get back in."

He continued: "I jumped straight in and waded out to reach the boys where I was able to quickly pull them safely into shallower water so they could stand up and make their own way back to shore. I then went back in and had to swim out to reach the young girl, I put her on her board and used a wave to get us both back to shore.

"They were all pretty shaken, but thankfully they were ok, just really pleased to be back on dry land. I told them not to go back into the water as the conditions weren't good in future that they should make sure there are lifeguards around. I was especially concerned that their parents were at the top of the beach and completely oblivious to what was happening."

He added: "RNLI lifeguard patrols start on Northcott in time for the busy summer holidays on July 3, and in the meantime, I would suggest that people make the effort to visit one of the lifeguarded beaches in Bude, including Summerleaze, Crooklets, Sandymouth, and Widemouth.

"The three children today were just lucky I was walking past as it could have been a much more serious situation."