Two girls and a man were treated for 'significant cuts' and bruises after being dragged towards rocks by a rip current while swimming off a north Suffolk beach.

The two girls were helped ashore by a male family member when rescuers arrived at the scene near Southwold Harbour on Saturday.

With six coastguard rescue officers from the HM Coastguard Lowestoft and Southwold teams called out at 2.48pm, along with the Southwold Lifeboat crew and the East of England Ambulance Service, a spokesman for the coastguards said the girls and a man suffered 'significant cuts,' with team members giving first aid to the casualties until the ambulance arrived.

The spokesman said: 'We were called out to reports of two girls that were swimming off the beach and were stuck in a rip current whilst being dragged towards the rocks as they were unable to swim against the tide.

'On arrival at the scene the girls had just managed to be rescued after a man jumped into the water to drag them up the rocks and to safety. The girls had received numerous cuts and grazes with the father receiving some significant cuts all over his body. Two team members administered first aid to the casualties whilst waiting for the ambulance service.

A spokesman for the RNLI Southwold lifeboat station said that they were called out for the 17th time this year. The coastguards spokesman added: 'We urge everyone to please be very careful whilst in the sea, especially with the wind and waves as they were. If you see someone in difficulties remember to dial 999 and ask for the coastguard. Do not jump in to attempt a rescue yourself as this could result in more casualties being in danger.'