A coastguard said two boys rescued from the sea at Sheringham today were 'lucky to be alive'.

The 14-year-olds, celebrating the end of the summer term this afternoon, were reported in difficulty in the water near groynes on the beach.

Jerry Woodley, acting station officer at Sheringham coastguard, said: 'The local lifeguards were alerted and one entered the water and managed to reach both youngsters. One was holding the other's head above water as he had been submerged for a bit.'

He said they were recovered to the beach but one of the youngsters then collapsed.

Paramedics treated them both at the scene and they were taken by ambulance to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for a check-up.

Mr Woodley said: 'The mother of one of the boys ran down the beach and she suffered a fall and has also had to go to hospital with a suspected sprained or broken ankle.'