Five rescued, including a child, after getting lost on marshes off the Norfolk coast

A group of five people including a child had to be rescued after getting lost late at night on marshes on the North Norfolk coast.

Coastguard and the police were called just before 11pm on Saturday to reports that five people were missing around Blakeney Harbour.

The Wells inshore lifeboat was launched, along with coastguards and a police drone to try and locate the group.

They managed to find the group on the marshes just before midnight, where they had been for up to five hours.

As there wasn't enough water in the creeks for the Inshore Lifeboat to rescue the group by sea, the decision was made for them to walk off the marshes with the assistance of the Coastguard team.

The RNLI said the incident should act as a timely warning to others, especially now the lockdown laws are being relaxed.

The Wells Lifeboat Operations Manager Chris Hardy told ITV News Anglia:

• people should always tell others what they are doing

• have a plan so people know if you are late home- and could then raise the alarm

• always be aware of local tide conditions