LIFEBOAT volunteers rescued a group of people who were stuck in mud off Thurstaston after a speedboat ran aground.

The crews, from Hoylake and West Kirby lifeboat stations, were alerted to the scene on Monday afternoon, during what had been a busy Bank Holiday weekend of call-outs.

Hoylake's relief hovercraft 'John Russell' was launched and headed to the speedboat's reported locaton.

On arrival the volunteer crew found the casualties had reached the shoreline, but the vessel had been abandoned.

Merseyside Police and Wirral Coastguard Rescue Team officers were in attendance and checked the casualties' welfare on the shore.

The hovercraft crew were asked by the Coastuard to collect further details about the speedboat to assist with enquiries.

The hovercraft then returned to the station to be washed down, refuelled and made ready for her next service.

Hovercraft commander Harry Jones had responded an earlier shout at around midday when requested to launch to Hilbre Island where there were reports of a large group of people cut off by the tide.

Having just returned from another request to assist a quad bike stuck in the mud off West Kirby, the volunteers re-launched the hovercraft without delay.

The RNLI crew found five people stranded on Hilbre Island and 20 people on Middle Eye.

Most had been aware of the tide times and had intended to stay on the island over the high tide, but a small number had unexpectedly found themselves cut off from the shore.

The Hoylake and West Kirby RNLI crews in attendance established that nobody was in immediate danger and decided that given the need to observe social distancing where possible it was not necessary to transport them to the shore.

The group were happy to remain on the islands until the low tide meant it was safe for them to return by foot.

Hoylake Hovercraft commander Harry Jones said: "In these exceptional times when there are no RNLI beach lifeguards on duty on these beaches, it's more important than ever that anyone visiting the coast also understands the risks.

"The Hilbre Islands remain closed at the moment due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

"We urge everyone to make themselves aware of dangers; checking local tide times and taking responsibility for themselves and their loved ones.

"If however you do find yourself in an emergency remember to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard."

Over the weekend the crew at Hoylake had also been tasked to attend multiple reports of walkers cut off by the tide in the New Brighton area, but fortunately all casualties made it to shore safely and the hovercraft was stood down.