TWO people were rescued from a dinghy near Tranmere after getting into difficulty on the River Mersey.

Wirral Coastguard Rescue Service were called at around 4.45pm yesterday (Wednesday) to reports of a 10ft inflatable dinghy in difficulty one mile south of Eastham Locks.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s boat Marine Fire One was first on the scene but was unable to reach the vessel due to low tide.

Visual contact was made with the dinghy which had landed on a sandbank and the Hoylake RNLI Hovercraft was requested.

The raft was able to transfer the pair to the slipway at Tranmere where coastguard rescue officers gave them safety advice.

A spokesman from Wirral Coastguard said: “If you are going to sea on board any type of vessel, make sure you stay safe and have means of calling for help if you get into difficulty.

“Ensure your mobile telephone is fully charged before you set off and always wear an appropriate life jacket or buoyancy aid.

“In you do get into trouble, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”