Three men were saved by local swimmers in a dramatic rescue at Sea Palling beach.

The men in their late 20s had got caught in a riptide between the rock reefs when they were seen struggling yesterday evening, September 1.

A couple from Poringland were on the beach celebrating their 21st anniversary when they spotted the men in the water.

"We were walking down the ramp with our fish and chips when we saw them swimming in between the rocks," said Jamie Parslow-Williams, a lecturer at the UEA.

"When we heard them start shouting we knew it wasn't good.

"There were two other swimmers in the water - Karen Berryman and Sian Diggines - who were already making their way over as we were calling the emergency services.

Ms Berryman and Ms Diggines got the first man to shallow water where three other swimmers Tony Webb, Chrissie Ward and Sarah Farrow helped him to shore.

The two women then turned back for the the other two men, who they again pulled to the shallows with great difficulty.

"When the men got to shore they were hypothermic and showing symptoms of secondary drowning - when someone inhales water during a near drowning," Mr Paslow-Williams said.

"Then the emergency services arrived - Coastguard, Sea Palling Lifeboat, ambulances and the air ambulance.

"This just shows how dangerous it is to swim out to those rocks. The water's so strong out there.

"When they were treating one of the guys I said to him: 'You know what you're going to do tomorrow? Give a nice big donation to Sea Palling Independent Lifeboat'.

"That made him laugh a little which made us all feel better."

All of the men rescued were taken to the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston for treatment.

Sea Palling Independent Lifeboat has said: "Three men had got into difficulty trying to return from fishing on one of the off-shore reefs.

"Some local swimmers bravely went into the sea and pulled the men ashore.

"We strongly urge visitors to the beach not to climb the rock reefs, try to swim out to them or swim nearby.

"There is fast-moving water in these areas and across the sand spits as it is directed out to sea and can be powerful.

"This was a great multi-agency effort and we'd like to thank all those involved."