Two boys have been taken to hospital after getting into difficulty in open water, with one in critical condition.

The boys, aged 12 and 14, were pulled from the sea near Central Pier in Blackpool by two teenage girls at about 6pm and give CPR by security staff before being taken by ambulance to hospital, a force spokesman said.

Police said the 14-year-old boy is in a critical but stable condition at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool and the 12-year-old is at Blackpool Victoria Hospital where he is described as poorly, but not critical.

Superintendent Chris Hardy said: “This incident once again shows all too clearly the dangers that open water can present and I have no doubt that if it hadn’t been for the brave and swift actions of the two girls who helped pull these boys from the water, and the security staff who gave CPR, that we would have been dealing with at least one fatality.

“Over the last couple of weeks we have very sadly seen a number of youngsters across the country who have died after getting into difficulty in open water and a number of families left bereaved.

“As this very warm weather continues, at least in the short term, I would again plead with people to enjoy the beach but to respect the water and take care around swimming in the sea, especially if you aren’t prepared or are not a strong swimmer.”

North West Ambulance Service has been contacted for comment.