A 10-year-old boy and a teenager have been airlifted to safety off the Pembrokeshire coast during stormy weather conditions.

The pair were clinging to a rock off Broadhaven (South) beach, which was being pounded by an eight-foot swell and with the wind blowing up to gale force 8.

The youngster and the 18-year-old man had reportedly earlier been swept off the beach’s Star Rock but had managed to climb back while awaiting their rescue.

A 999 call from a family friend of the boys was made to Milford Haven Coastguard at 5.30pm on Friday, reporting the pair being cut off by the tide on the rock.

Tenby’s all-weather lifeboat, the Haydn Miller was launched to make the 11-mile journey to the scene, with the Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter 187 from St Athan also called because of the weather conditions. Coastguard rescue teams from Tenby and St Govan’s also attended, together with an ambulance.

Weather conditions were too severe for the Haydn Miller to approach the rock, so it stood by to provide safety cover while the boys were winched to safety by the helicopter.

They were landed safely on the beach and checked over by the paramedics, but did not need any medical treatment.

The incident was one of a number - which included several fatalities - involving heavy seas around the coast of Britain at the weekend.

Coastguards have urged people to stay safe and heed warnings from lifeguards while enjoying the coastline in rough weather.

Said a spokesman: “Stay away from areas where surging waves could sweep you off your feet, or hit rocks and cause a huge amount of spray Be careful of tides; it’s easy to become cut off and strong wind conditions will mean that the sea will reach higher levels than expected.

“What should be an enjoyable experience could so easily take a traumatic turn, so please do listen to warnings and stay at a safe distance from the water.”