WALKERS planning a trip out to Wirral sandbanks are being advised to check tide times before setting off after three rescues over the weekend.

New Brighton lifeboat station's hovercraft and rapid response lifeboat was called out on Sunday morning, to rescue four people with a dog who were cut off on a sandbank out from Kings Parade in New Brighton.

They managed to get ashore before the hovercraft arrived and it appeared they had waded through waist-deep water.

Within an hour a further party of two adults and two children plus dog were reported cut off on a sand bank in the area of Harrison Drive.

When the hovercraft reached them they were about 200 yards from shore and in knee-height water, three were taken on board the hovercraft and delivered safely ashore to the waiting Hoylake Coastguard team meanwhile one adult and the dog waded ashore.

On Monday afternoon, the lifeboat was launched to help a person cut off out from the Leasowe Bay / Moreton shore. Hoylake Coastguard team managed to get the person ashore just before the crew had arrived.

New Brighton's Lifeboat operations manager Graham Sale said it was vital for walkers to be aware of tide times.

He added: "It's very concerning that so many people have managed to get into difficulty in similar circumstances especially at this time of year.

"The sea is very cold and that combined with cold weather and wind makes for a potentially hazardous situation for anyone who gets into difficulty.

"As an example the high tide for Liverpool was 3:25pm on Monday afternoon and our call out was 2.5 hours before then.

"The tides comes in very quickly along channels and gullies and can swiftly cut off anyone on a sand bank.

"Information, re tide times is readily available on the internet plus Apps are available for smartphones etc as well as the traditional booklets stocked by some newsagents.

"It's vital information both when visiting an area and for locals.

"In addition there are notice boards around the coast with helpful safety information."