Volunteer lifeboat crew members responding to an emergency over the weekend were "significantly delayed" by cars parking in restricted areas.

St Agnes RNLI Lifeboat has now appealed for people to pay attention to signs, saying: "Lives are being put at risk."

It is after some crew members called out to a shout on Saturday were delayed because of vehicles parking in areas clearly marked 'No parking' and on double yellow lines in Quay Road.

A St Agnes crew spokesperson said: "Lives are being put at risk. Please do not park on Quay Rd or on the double yellows below the Driftwood.

"Use a carpark or better still, Shanks’ pony! If you see someone parking illegally, don’t be afraid to politely point out the restrictions and ask them to move.

"Thank you for helping us save lives at sea."

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The exact details of what the shout involved have not been released at this time.

However, in recent weeks the crew has been called to a number of incidents, including lots involving people caught in rip currents.

Earlier this month the lifeboat saved three lives when a solo body boarder had been had been taken out in a rip current at Perran Sands 100 metres from shore and two young men had entered the water to try and save him - but then got into difficulty themselves.

The trio were described as being "in grave danger" when volunteer crew members Paul Fisher, at the helm, with Richard Draisey and Lloyd Stein were able to get the three aboard and carry out immediate casualty care.

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After an assessment by Lloyd Stein it was determined that the casualties were shaken but apparently unharmed. The boat returned to shore and the casualties transferred to a waiting ambulance.

Helm Paul Fisher said at the time: "This is an excellent example of when to call the Coastguard. The three men did the right thing by hanging onto the boogie board and staying calm.

"With fading light and their location in the surf being pushed up by the sandbanks, we are confident that this particular call meant three lives were saved.”