LIFEBOAT bosses have joined other emergency services and the local authority in warning people of the dangers of "tombstoning" - diving or jumping off Minehead and Watchet Harbour.

The warning follows a serious accident last Tuesday evening when two swimmers required hospital treatment following an incident in Minehead.

A spokesman said: "What seemed like a harmless fun activity almost ended in tragedy when two swimmers collided leaving one unconscious.

"Both men required medical attention by paramedics and were subsequently transferred to hospital."

Steve Wills, RNLI Beach safety manager, said: "Tombstoning is seen as fun by some people, but this incident proves it's no joke.

"Some people have been left so badly hurt by jumping from a height into the sea that they will never walk again, let alone ride a bike to the beach or go swimming with their mates.

"It's difficult to tell the depth of the water as you look over the edge onto the surface.

"The tide can go in and out very quickly, so while the water can be deep during some of the day it can soon become shallow.

"That means you'll be leaping towards the seabed with not much water in the way to break your fall."

Steve Watts, liveability manager for West Somerset Council, said: "Tidal changes are hard to judge and people can hit the seabed, or jumpers' may accidentally land on and injure other swimmers in the water.

"We are particularly appealing to parents and carers to talk to children about the dangers of jumping from sea walls or swimming in harbours."

Harbour masters at Watchet and Minehead have stepped up patrols around the harbours asking people to stop jumping from walls and have on occasion called the police to help them prevent the practice.

Mr Watts added: "We would ask people to heed the harbour masters' advice because their primary concern in this matter is public safety."