Coastguards went to the aid of nearly 60 pupils on the Western Isles after fears that a rising tide threatened to cut them off.
The youngsters were from Balivanich Primary School on Benbecula and were on a cross country exercise.
But fire service staff at nearby Benbecula Airport became concerned after spotting the 59 children on Balivanich beach and raised the alarm with Stornoway Coastguard at 2.48pm on Monday.
Coastguard teams from Benbecula and Griminish were immediately sent and helped the children from the beach by 3.30pm.
“The fire service staff were concerned that the children were in danger of being cut off by the incoming tide,” said a spokeswoman for Stornoway Coastguard.
“We sent two coastguard teams who escorted the party off the beach. Nobody was injured. We understand the children were on a cross country exercise.”
The school was closed on Monday – in common with all island schools – as part of a long weekend break.
Nigel Scott, spokesman for the Western Isles Council, said:”This was an after school cross country activity.
“No pupils were at risk at any time but we appreciate the vigilance of the coastguard.”
Stornoway Coastguard take 60 school children to safety from rising tide
