Two jet skiers were treated in hospital for the onset of hypothermia after they were rescued by a fishing boat off Maryport.

The Maryport-based vessel Flixi, skippered by Tom Watson, came to their aid after spotting red distress flares shortly after 9pm yesterday.

Three men on two jet skis had set off from Harrington, but two of them ended up in the water when their jet ski partially sunk.

They were taken on board the Flixi, which escorted the second jet ski ashore. Once back in harbour, the casualties were taken by ambulance to the West Cumberland Hospital.

A search for the men, who are understood to be local, was already underway after a former coastguard reported finding two cars with trailers parked on the slipway at Harrington but with no sign of the jet skis or the occupants.

Initially coastguard teams from Maryport and Whitehaven searched the coastline between Maryport and St Bees and then, with light fading, Maryport Inshore Rescue Boat and Workington Lifeboat were launched.

Earlier that afternoon, an off-duty coastguard warned two teenagers of the dangers of climbing on the cliffs at Kells, Whitehaven.

The coastguard came across a group of youngsters who were screaming on top off the cliff, urging two friends below to come away from the edge and climb back up. Neither was hurt.