Children risk being killed in a mud trap at a West Sussex beauty spot. Fire crews have been called out twice in two days to rescue youngsters stuck up to their waists.

Water levels in the popular lake on the Duke of Norfolk's estate near Arundel have dropped, leaving a treacherous mudflat around the edge.

Children have been ignoring hazard signs put up to warn against walking out to the water.

Two fire crews and paramedics had to lay a fully-extended ladder across the flats to reach an eight-year-old boy who was stranded waist-deep for more than 30 minutes at Swanbourne Lake yesterday.

He was taken to St Richard's Hospital in Chichester where he was checked for the effects of exposure.

On Tuesday, fire teams were called after a 12-year-old became stuck as she walked out to feed ducks.

Passers-by managed to pull the frightened schoolgirl free before the emergency services arrived.

Mark Osborne, of Worthing fire station, said lake wardens were "pulling their hair out" as they tried to stop people from going on to the mud.

He explained: "Because of the very dry weather we've been having, the level of the lake has dropped dramatically but there is still water in the lake.

"Consequently, the mud around the outside is very boggy. There are signs up saying 'Soft mud, keep off'. Unfortunately the young lad yesterday could not read.

"We advise people to keep away from the water's edge."