Rescue crews have issued a warning for parents after a busy day responding to calls about missing swimmers off Sussex's beaches.

Littlehampton RNLI lifeboat crews were called to at least six reports of missing children yesterday.

All were found safely, but with so many reports coming in during the afternoon the lifeboat and Coastguard stayed near the beach in case of further emergencies.

A spokeswoman for Littlehampton lifeboat said: “We had quite a few calls about missing children.

“It has been a beautiful day and it has been very busy and I think possibly because of that little girl who drowned in Clacton, parents have been extra jumpy.”

The Coastguard said the most serious incident involved fears a four year old boy had disappeared near the river mouth in Littlehampton.

A spokesman for the Dover Coastguard said they had received 18 to 20 reports of missing children.

He said: “The first little boy had be missing for a considerable time and there was a strong possibility he had been near the mouth of the river. But he was located safe and well and had just wandered off.

“Our crews remained down there until the beaches got less busy.

“It is an annual problem but it was a particularly busy day.

“It is quite a strain on our resources.

“We would advise parents to be on their guard.

“It really is a case of not letting them out your sight, especially if they are near the water.”