FOUR people were rescued last night by Largs lifeboat after using their mobile telephone to alert police when their dinghy was swamped by a wave.

The four were off Hunterston jetty on the Clyde when the dinghy took in a large amount of water. Fearing the boat might sink, they telephoned the police who alerted Clyde coastguard. A Royal Navy rescue helicopter was sent from HMS Gannet at Prestwick as a precaution, while the lifeboat was sent to pick up the four.

Once ashore they were given a medical check-up by the helicopter crew, and did not need medical treatment.