A family stranded on an island near Maldon were rescued after they called for help on a mobile phone.

Kate Dewis, 29, and her two sons, aged nine and seven, and eight-year-old niece, found no way back to their holiday home after a walk on Osea Island yesterday (Thursday) afternoon.

They tried to walk back along the causeway to the mainland, but by late afternoon they discovered the walkway had disappeared under water.

Fearing the high tide would mean a night in the cold and dark, Mrs Dewis called her parents, staying with the family at a nearby caravan park, on her mobile phone.

"She told them they were stuck, and then the grandmother and grandfather called 999 to alert us," said Coastguard officer Mick Carpenter.

Although it was not strictly an emergency call, as the high tide recedes after six hours, he said the coastguard service did not want to see the family becoming more fearful as darkness fell.

"It was not a life and death situation, but with children involved and in the cold weather we wanted to assist them," he said.

After unsuccessfully contacting various boatyards to see if they could make the short trip to the island, the West Mersea lifeboat was launched.

The family, from Romford, were picked up within an hour and were met at Marconi Sailing Club, Steeple, by the children's grandfather and Coastguard section manager Dick Townshend.

Although an unnerving experience for the children, it will also be one "they never forget", said Mr Carpenter.

"I'm just glad they were safe and sound and no-one was harmed," he added.

By Rachel Good

Reporter's e-mail: rachel_good@thisisessex.co.uk

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