Southend's lifeboat crew was tasked to help a man thought to be stuck in the mud, but was actually in no danger and digging for worms.

A member of the public called the RNLI search and rescue hovercraft at about 5.20pm yesterday reporting that a man was stuck in the mud near to the pier.

The volunteer crew located the man, who was digging for bait and in no danger and happy to be left looking for worms.

The second call of the evening came in at 6.50pm with reports of an injured teenage boy at the barge pier in Shoebury. 

The lad had apparently fallen whilst climbing security fencing at the pier and landed heavily on the beach, causing him to suffer a suspected broken arm.

The hovercraft crew arrived on scene to assist paramedics who were already in attendance treating the casualty.

The lad was put on a stretcher and as there was not a safe exit off the beach, was taken on to the hovercraft and ferried safely to Shoebury Common Slipway where he was passed to awaiting ambulance crews.

Southend coastguard teams were also in attendance.

Southend hovercraft returned to station for a wash down and refuel, ready for service