A woman has been rescued after becoming trapped in mud flats along Trimingham Road in Sidestrand, north Norfolk.

She was winched to safety just before 3pm today after a rescue operation spanning two hours and involving four coastguard crews, police and fire crews and the coastguard rescue helicopter from Humber.

The coastguard took a 999 call from a member of the public, at 11.49am this morning who reported he could see a woman stuck in mud at Trimingham, on the North Norfolk Coast. He said the woman appeared to be laid flat in order to spread her weight.

Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRTs) from Cromer, Mundesley, Happisburgh and Sheringham were sent to the scene to locate and rescue the woman, who had become stuck after attempting to rescue her dog.

Peter Macauley, for the UK Coastguard said 'Although we understand that people are very attached to their pets and become anxious when they are in trouble, we would continue to urge people to call 999 for Coastguard when any assistance is required on the coast.'

For more on the story and pictures see tomorrow's papers.