ARDROSSAN Coastguard Rescue Team have issued a warning urging the public to avoid using inflatable toys at the beach for their own safety.

The warning comes following the team's response to several callouts across Ayrshire over the Bank Holiday weekend – including rescuing a young girl who was blown out to sea on an inflatable unicorn.

The incident happened at Irvine Beach Park on Saturday, when coastguards spotted a girl being carried "some distance" from the shore.

Her father then swam out to try and reach her.

Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team contacted colleagues in Belfast to summon extra resources, while the Troon Lifeboat was also launched.

In a Facebook update, the coastguard said: "As the team were preparing for an immediate snatch rescue, the person [the father] had reached the young girl who was now in the water with the inflatable having blown away out to sea, and was making attempts to get back to shore."

A rescuer in full water rescue kit helped the pair get back to the shore safely.

The casualties, who had swallowed sea water, were given first aid, checked over by paramedics and taken to hospital as a precaution.

Kevin Paterson, station officer for the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team, said: "This was an incredibly lucky escape for the young girl and her father after a sunny day at the beach quickly turned into an emergency.

"These inflatables should only be used in swimming pools where there's no risk of being blown out to sea and there's lifeguards on duty."

On Sunday, the team responded to three separate callouts relating to people in difficulty on inflatable toys and one call to attend to a broken down jet ski.

On Facebook, the team posted: "It has been extremely fortunate so far this weekend that no one has been injured or worse due to using inflatable toys at the beach.

"The combination of warm weather and a strong easterly off shore wind has made for an extremely dangerous combination this weekend, with the conditions set to remain the same over the coming days.

"Please do not use these inflatable toys when visiting the coast."