Teenagers who waded out into mud almost sparked a rescue operation following calls from concerned onlookers.

The four boys, aged between 16 and 19, had walked out into the River Medway near the Strand, Gillingham at about 5pm on Monday.

Concerned for their safety and believing they were struggling to get back to shore, members of the public at the Strand's pool called Medway coastguards.

Three officers went to the scene and called the teenagers back but were then subject to verbal abuse.

Two Police Community Support Officers assisted the coastguards and the boys managed to get back to shore on their own.

Just as the four returned to shore, one of the coastguards also had to stop two 12-year-old girls from wading out.

Medway coastguard deputy station officer, Richard Rodgers, said: "We would like to make it clear to the public that although it might look pleasant to wade out into, this mud is extremely dangerous as it can suck you in like quicksand.

"This incident could have been disastrous. We might have had six casualties at one stage and, if the tide had been coming in, we may have had to stage a full rescue operation with our helicopter or hovercraft support."

If you believe someone is in trouble in or around Medway's rivers, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.