A LIFEBOAT crew was called out amid fears that a diver could be carried out to sea.

Two female divers had travelled from Edinburgh and had earlier attempted a dive at St Abbs, in the Scottish Borders.

They then headed for Dunbar and began their exploration at 5.05pm, just as the tide was at its highest, on Tuesday.

A spokesman for Dunbar RNLI said: "Quickly, they experienced difficulties, with one fearing she was being carried further out than they intended.

"While a friend on shore called the Coastguard for help, the women removed their equipment and managed to get back to shore."

Dunbar's lifeboat crew was called out at 5.25pm and were on the scene, close to the old pool below The Rocks Hotel, just seven minutes later.

The crew checked the divers were unhurt and did not require medical treatment before then retrieving their diving equipment for them.

Members of the town's Coastguard team also assisted the women from the shore.

Gordon Kirkham, ILB helm, said: "The divers were well equipped and took sensible precautions by having someone keep an eye on them from the shore.

"They did the right thing by calling for help when they got into difficulties.”

UK Coastguard, who had also requested the all-weather lifeboat (ALB) attend the incident, stood down both lifeboats before the ALB had launched from Torness.

The in-shore lifeboat returned to Dunbar Harbour shortly before 6pm.

If you see someone in trouble in the water dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.