AN ELEVEN-year-old girl who was 'swept out to deep water' was rescued thanks to a lifesaving technique.

The RNLI is reminding anyone heading to the coast over half term to use the Float to Live technique if they get into trouble in the water.

On September 19, Billie went to the beach with a family friend and their son. They were paddling in the sea when they got swept out into deep water.

RNLI volunteer helm Andy Read happened to be on the beach with his family and watched the incident unfold.

He, along with another person on the beach, immediately swam out to Billie and her friend and was able to get them safely back to shore.

Andy said: 'Billie did exactly the right thing – they were floating to live and calling for help when I reached them, and that undoubtedly bought them those extra few minutes before I was able to reach them.

"They should be really proud of their actions, and this just brings home the importance of the lifesaving technique and why we try to reach as many people as possible with our messaging.'

Billie, from Christchurch, has some learning difficulties which can impact her memory.

She relies on her trainee support dog Frankie, however she had heard the Float to Live advice through her swimming lessons and incredibly could recall it during those crucial moments.

Billie said: "The beach is one of my favourite places – and I also love swimming.

"I heard the Float to Live advice in my swimming lessons. It just came to me in that moment. I was scared but I felt like I knew what to do, and I made a starfish on my back."

Billie and her grateful mum Kate returned to Mudeford RNLI to meet volunteer helm Andy and thank him for saving her life.

Kate said: "I knew I had to find Andy to thank him for rescuing the children – he is a real hero.

"He'd literally left his family, who he was with on the beach walking. He wasn't working – he just jumped in fully clothed.

"We are so grateful to him and the whole RNLI for everything they do to try to keep us safe."

Kate has since set up a Just Giving page to support the RNLI which can be found by searching Kate's fundraiser for RNLI - Royal National Lifeboat Institution.