Coastguards are urging people to know where they are as ‘they can’t help you if they can’t find you’ after being called to an incident more than 80 miles away.

The message comes after Lyme Regis Coastguard, along with colleagues at Beer Coastguard and the ambulance service, were called to reports of a woman in anaphylactic shock on Seaton Beach.

They launched at around 4pm on Saturday and made there way to east Devon, only to find the medical emergency was in fact in Seaton near Looe in Cornwall.

A spokesman for Lyme Regis Coastguard said: “We were all on scene. The query started nearly straight away as we were suspicious, they said the casualty was next to the lifeguard hut, but there isn’t one in Seaton. We will always respond but we asked for the information to be validated and if it was correct.

“It’s even more grit to the mill that people should know exactly where they are. This situation would never arise if they knew where they were.

“We have been called to Lyme Regis when the casualty was in Charmouth as they thought they were in Lyme Regis - it’s not that uncommon for people to not know where they are. We can’t help you if we can’t find you.

“We do get called to some strange places, its not uncommon for us to be tipped to Lymmington in Hampshire as it starts with the same three letters as Lyme Regis.

“The message is to know where you are."

The crew recommends people use the what3words app which gives three words to help rescuers pinpoint a location.

The team is also urging people to make themselves known if they have called the coastguard, to send a member of the public, friend or family to meet the rescuers so they can find them - especially at this time when beaches are crowded.

HM Coastguard were unable to comment on why Lyme Regis Coastguard were sent to an incident in Seaton, Cornwall, before going to press.