Two young men escaped unscathed after their dingy collapsed and they fell out.

Their rubber boat collapsed between Eastbourne Pier and the town’s pavilion shortly after 3pm on Tuesday.

A lifeboat spokesman said: “Following several knockdowns, observers on the beach became worried that the sailors were having trouble controlling their craft in the strong south-westerly winds and alerted the coastguard.

“In the absence of a safety boat Eastbourne lifeboat was launched to ensure that the youngsters were able to cope with the prevailing conditions. Having established that the sailors were in no immediate danger the ILB stood by whilst the dinghy was sailed to safer waters closer inshore.”