A COUPLE and their dog have had to be pulled from the sands after getting into difficulties with an incoming tide.

Members of the public raised the alarm after spotting a male and female, from Cleveleys, sinking into mud close to the Ship Inn at Sandside shortly before 3.30pm today.

The female, aged 25, was stuck up to her waist while the male, 46, was in up to his knees.

The rescue comes just two weeks after a 14-year-old girl had to be pulled from quicksand near Silverdale.  This incident prompted a warning from the Queen's Guide to the Sands, Cedric Robinson, that people should stay off the sands because he had never known them 'so dangerous'.

A Coastguard spokesman said today's rescue was carried out after members of the public rang 999.

"We had a number of calls and we believe the police did too.

"Our safety message today is always check on the tides and be aware that there's quicksand in that area.

"The public did the right thing: if you spot anyone in difficulty call 999 and ask for the coastguard.

"This is especially important to remember at this time of year with the summer holidays coming up."

He explained that Arnside and Morecambe coastguards attended, along with paramedics from the North West Ambulance Service, Cumbria Fire and Rescue, Bay Search and Rescue and police, who helped keep members of the public at bay.

A Royal National Lifeboat Institute team from Morecambe also attended on a hovercraft.

"It was a great multi-agency rescue," he continued.

"We all worked well together and got the pair to safety."

They were freed at 4.10pm and were treated at the scene for shock. It is not thought the dog was hurt.