Friday the 13th certainly proved unlucky for two people when they became stuck up to their waists in mud at the seaside.

The pair had to be rescued by firefighters after becoming trapped at The Stade at Folkestone Harbour.

A fire crew was called at 5.17pm and spent 40 minutes at the scene.

Afterwards, fire bosses issued a safety warning about the dangers of deep mud around Kent's coastline.

A spokesman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: "The public should take care around coastal areas and waterways and to also be aware of tidal times.

"Crews would also like to remind everyone to take note of warning signs and to avoid wading out too far in coastal or muddy areas since it can be deeper than you think."

The rescuers used a 'mud path' to reach the marooned pair.

The spokesman said: "When we arrived, two people were stuck up to their waist in mud. One fire engine and the water rescue unit was sent to the incident.

"Crews used mud paths and specialist safety equipment to rescue the pair who were then passed into the care of South East Coast Ambulance Service for precautionary checks."

Two men and a woman had to be rescued from the same area in January.

Teams from the coastguard, as well as two fire engines, were called to Folkestone Harbour and pulled the trio to safety.

In June last year a teenager had to be plucked from the mud near the Harbour Arm.