Lifeboat launch as children go missing

The children, who were visiting their grandparents in the town, had been reported missing after not being seen on the beach for around an hour and a half.

As a precaution, the Lytham St Annes lifeboat was launched, but the four children - two twin 13-year-old boys, and 11-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl - were found safe and well on the Promenade after the 45 minute search.

The incident took place between 4.15pm and 5pm on Tuesday.

A coastguard spokesman said: “We had a report of four missing children at St Annes last seen going to paddle in the water.

“As a precaution we got the lifeboat out and a search was carried out for them.

“They had been missing for 90 minutes when we got the call, but they were found back safe and well with their grandparents just before 5pm.”

No-one was injured in the incident.

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