A terrified youngster was winched to safety by helicopter after getting trapped up to his waist in mud.

The six-year-old boy got stuck in the heavy mudflows caused by landslips on Charmouth Beach.

The next day a man and his young grandson had to be hauled to safety by Lyme Regis coastguards.

Their rescuers were then alerted to help another young girl stuck in the thick mud on East Beach just moments later.

Beachgoers are again being urged to keep away from the Charmouth mudslide after yet more rescues.

Around 20 people got trapped in the mud during the Easter holiday and now coastguards have once again pleaded with people to steer clear.

Lyme Regis Coastguard deputy station officer Gerry Bearpark said: “People must stay on the beach and not stroll on to the mudslides.

“People just do not realise how dangerous the mud is. It is extremely dangerous – so keep away.”

The six-year-old boy ran into trouble after going to help his dog, who got stuck in the Charmouth mud on Tuesday.

His dad and a family friend tried to rescue the stricken boy but he was too far away to reach, so they alerted coastguards.

A coastguard rescue helicopter winchman freed the youngster and he was taken to Dorset County Hospital.

Lyme Regis Coastguard said both the boy and his dog escaped from their ordeal unhurt.

Rescuers were getting ready to install new warning signs in the area when they were alerted again on Wednesday afternoon.

The granddad and his grandson, 11, got stuck up to their waists in the mud – again after trying to retrieve their dog.

Both were recovered by Lyme Regis coastguards using specialist mud rescue equipment.

They were shaken but otherwise unhurt and were checked over by South Western Ambulance paramedics.

The coastguards were still at the scene – putting up more signs – when they were called to help the girl, 10, who had also got stuck.

Mr Bearpark also warned fossil hunters in the area to stay away from the Charmouth mudslide.

Portland Coastguard said considerable recent rainfall and the cliff’s instability had left the area ‘particularly hazardous’.

“The rainfall is making the mudflows much worse,” a spokesman said. “There have been numerous rescues there over the past few days.

“We’d like to again warn people to keep well clear of that area. We cannot keep a 24-hour watch and stop people from going there.

“It’s a very dangerous area. People don’t realise quite how dangerous it is and they need to be aware.”