A quick-thinking Littlehampton lifeguard saved two children after spotting them getting dangerously out of their depth in the sea.

Arran Barker sprang into action when he saw the little boy and girl wandering towards the fast flowing currents bordering the beach at Littlehampton.

Knowing that the area is also a popular place for boats, putting the children even more at risk, RNLI lifeguard Mr Baker immediately grabbed a rescue board and sprinted along the beach towards the pair.

When he reached the children he discovered the youngest, a little girl aged around two or three, was already under water.

The older child, a boy of around seven, could only just touch the bottom and keep his head above sea level.

Mr Barker told the boy to make his way back to shore as quickly as possible.

He then put the little girl, who was about 15 metres from the shoreline, on to his board and paddled her back to safety.

The children were reunited with their family and the little girl, who had swallowed a lot of water, was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Mr Barker said: “It’s an amazing feeling to think that I’ve saved a child’s life, although at the time it was a nerve-wracking rescue.

“I could see the two of them getting closer to the river and just ran as fast as I could to reach them. Luckily I got there in time.”

Oliver Cona, the RNLI lifeguard supervisor at Littlehampton, said: ‘This was a fantastic rescue.

“Arran quickly spotted the potential dangers for these two children and then reacted swiftly, putting all his training into action.

“We’d always advise anyone heading to the coast to go to a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags as this is the area that the lifeguards patrol.

“That way everyone can enjoy their time on the beach and stay safe.”

The incident happened on Saturday afternoon.