A busy spell for the voluntary coastguard teams at Lowestoft and Southwold has continued this weekend with three call outs in quick succession.

With officers from HM Coastguard Lowestoft & Southwold having been called out 33 times across the area during the past six months, they were called to a further three incidents in Lowestoft, Beccles and Southwold in less than 24 hours.

The callouts, between Friday and yesterday (Saturday), come as the busy summer season approaches.

The team were called to Lowestoft's Claremont Pier at 5.50pm on Friday (June 3) following reports of a possible dinghy, which had been sighted off the pier that may have required assistance.

With eight coastguard officers attending, a spokesman for the team said: 'A search was carried out from the pier to Pakefield beach, however there were no sightings and this was put down to a false alarm with good intent.'

Yesterday morning, about 11.40am, the team were called out to conduct a search between Beccles and Somerleyton for a vessel, which was believed to be in difficulties.

The spokesman said: 'We were called to the River Waveney, following reports of a vessel stuck in the reeds between Beccles yacht station and Waveney River Centre.'

With five coastguard officers attending, they were assisted by the Broads RNLI ILB (Inshore Lifeboat) in carrying out a search between Beccles and Somerleyton – but nothing was found.

And at 3.32pm yesterday (Saturday), a missing boy appeal sparked a search in Southwold. The spokesman added: 'The team was called out following a report of a missing five-year-old boy at Southwold Pier.

'We were tasked to meet up with the RNLI Lifeguards, who were on scene, however the team was stood down on route as the boy was found safe and well.'

Seven coastguard officers attended the latest callout.