Hoylake's RNLI hovercraft went to assist three jet-skiers who had run aground in the River Mersey close to the Silver Jubilee Bridge at Runcorn.

One of the riders had reportedly been injured when he was thrown from his jet ski on impact.

The volunteer crew were on a training exercise when the alarm was raised so the inshore rescue hovercraft Hurley Spirit was launched quickly before heading to the scene.

The crew assessed the casualty who fortunately was found to be uninjured.

However the group’s jet skis were stuck on a sandbank due to the low tide. The hovercraft brought three Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service officers from the shore to assist in manoeuvring the jet skis back into the water.

Once the riders were safely afloat and able to make their own way ashore, the hovercraft brought the fire service officers back to land before returning to station.

Volunteer hovercraft commander Matt Pownall-Jones said: "The jet-skiers had all the right safety equipment with them but unfortunately they were caught out by the low tide in the area.

"Thanks to the assistance of our emergency service colleagues, the incident was resolved swiftly and safely."

This incident marks the 30th service that the Hoylake RNLI hovercraft has completed so far this year.