A coastguard has condemned inflatables as "deathtraps" after three children from Nottingham were swept out towards the sea.

The children had to be rescued by their father after drifting dangerously away from shore.

Skegness Inshore lifeboat has responded to dozens of similar calls over the past few days.

Coastguards are warning those using inflatables on the sea to take extra care.

It's my personal opinion these inflatables are death traps and should be banned

Ray Hart, Yarmouth Regional Coastguard

A member of the public raised the alarm after spotting the three youngsters stranded on a dinghy 250 yards out to sea.

The coastguard despatched the Skegness inshore lifeboat.

But before the crew could reach the scene, the children's father swam out to rescue them.

The incident happened at Ingellmells near Skegness on Monday.

The children, aged four, eight and ten, and from the St Ann's area of Nottingham, are now recovering.

Despite this scare, on Tuesday morning there were more than a dozen call outs to inflatables and coastguards fear good weather could mean more emergencies.

Ban plea

Ray Hart, from the Yarmouth Regional Coastguard, said: "My main advice is that if you have these craft don't use them by the sea edge.

"If you have to use them make sure they are tethered to the shore.

"It's my personal opinion these inflatables are death traps and should be banned.

"But that decision is up to the powers that be."