Two holidaymakers are lucky to be alive after a trip on their new kayaks nearly ended in tragedy on the north Pembrokeshire coast last week.

The inexperienced kayakers failed to take poor weather and sea conditions into account when they set out on their new sit-on kayaks on Wednesday afternoon.

The couple launched from Newport, and were quickly overwhelmed by the demanding conditions.

An emergency mobile phone call to HM Coastguard triggered the launch of Fishguard RNLI's all-weather lifeboat at 3pm.

The crew located the man and woman rafted up and drifting north east of Dinas Head.

Southerly winds, gusting up to Force 7 at times, were pushing the kayaks further and further out to sea, and the holidaymakers from Monmouthshire were exhausted and cold.

RNLI Coxswain Paul Butler said: "This couple are lucky to be alive. Had it not been for their mobile phone fortunately working, one has to question whether they would be here today.

“People who wish to enjoy the water must be properly equipped and only go out on the water when safe to do so." The pair and their kayaks were taken aboard and returned to Fishguard, where they were given blankets and tea to warm up, before being taken back to Newport by road.