Three people enjoying a day out in their 20ft speedboat ran out of fuel and had to beach on East Winner Sandbank.

They went to buy some fuel but on their return were unable to push the boat off the bank and back into the sea, to the south-east of Hayling Island.

They enlisted the help of six people nearby.

As they all tried to push the boat back into the water the tide began to come in and cut everyone off from the mainland.

They had to put out a call for help.

Solent Coastguard called in the Portsmouth and Southsea Voluntary Lifeguard service, which was just about to pack up for the day, at 5.30pm on Friday.

Lifeguard Sam Britain said: 'We went out in our deep rescue boat and found them. It can be quite a dangerous area there. The tide comes in quickly.

'We joined them in pushing the boat back into water and with 11 of us we just about managed it.

'We then took the six good samaritans back to safety.'

People going out on the water in powerboats have been advised to make sure they have enough fuel for their journey, plus a bit extra for any unexpected incidents.

A warning has also been repeated for people beside the sea to read safety notices on tides.