SIX people were rescued after their inflatable dinghies were swept out to sea off Barry Island.

Whitmore Bay RNLI lifeguards Gareth King and Charles Grandfield spotted a couple in an inflatable dinghy on Friday morning.

The pair, both in their 20s, had been swept down the point and into the channel off Whitmore Bay.

The couple had been visiting the area from London.

They were caught in the current and unable to return to shore.

Both RNLI lifeguards went out on their rescue board, located the couple in their inflatable dinghy and slowly paddled against the tide to bring the couple safely back to shore.

RNLI lifeguards Chad Bremnar and Charles Grandfield took part in an identical rescue on Saturday afternoon when they spotted four people in their early 20s being swept out to sea, by currents, in an inflatable dinghy.

The four people were from the Bridgend area.

The lifeguards quickly paddled over on their rescue boards and brought the four safely back to shore.

RNLI lifeguard Gareth King said: “It’s great to see so many people enjoying the great weather and visiting the beaches but please be aware of offshore winds if you decide to take an inflatable out on the water. RNLI lifeguards responded to two identical incidences off Barry Island over the weekend, each one caught in the current and swept out to sea. Luckily the lifeguards spotted both incidences and were able to assist. If the RNLI lifeguards had not been around they might not have been so lucky.”

RNLI lifeguards provide a daily safety service on Whitmore Bay from 10am to 6pm throughout the summer season.