A GROUP of six people were lucky to escape with their lives today (Monday, October 16) after going into the sea at Poppit Sands during the height of storm Ophelia

The Coastguard received an emergency call from walkers near to the beach at 11.18pm who saw the group in the water and feared for their safety as 80mph winds swept in across Cardigan Bay.

Cardigan RNLI lifeboat station was alerted but as they were about to launch the group - understood to be a man, woman and four youngsters aged between about nine and 17 - had managed to make their way to safety.

An RNLI spokesman said: “Conditions in the sea and even on the beach itself were horrendous and while they were well equipped, to even think of going out in this was just madness.

“We understand the lady had got into trouble but the man managed to get her out just in time. The lifeboat did not need to launch and thankfully no-one was hurt but it could have been so much worse.”

The Met Office had earlier updated the wind warning in southwest Wales to an amber alert.

Around 200 homes were without power in north Pembrokeshire near Cilgerran, while Ysgol Y Preseli closed at noon and pupils were sent home.

T Llew Jones School, Brynhoffnant, Aberporth School and Penparc School all closed early.