AROUND 20 people scrambled to Abersoch beach over the weekend to rescue several boats which were being swept out to sea in gale force winds.

South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club issued an urgent message through social media on the 19 and 20 August to inform them of the upcoming high tide and predicted gale force winds for the area.

A group of people turned out on Saturday morning to help remove the boats off the shore but unfortunately some are believed to have been washed out to sea.

Simon James, from Abersoch, said he helped move around 10 boats off the beach into the boat car park and above the high water line.

He said: “Knowing that the weather was so stormy and there was a high tide we knew that there would be boats in trouble as it happens every year.

“There were bits of boats floating about in the water and we could see maybe a mast or a boom sticking out of the water, but I’m not sure if a boat was still attached to it.

“The people who own the boats should be more aware of the weather conditions and take appropriate precautions.”

See this week’s north editions for the full story, in shops and online now