Police have fined three men for breaching Covid-19 social distancing regulations when they came ashore after reportedly becoming stranded in their rowing boat in the River Exe Estuary.

The incident near Topsham last night (Sunday, May 3) took place at around 10pm.

A police helicopter was tasked to assist the coastguard when the trio were located on a mud bank at low tide.

A 31-year-old man and a 35-year-old man, both from the same address in St Thomas, Exeter, and a 31-year-old from Newtown, Exeter, received the fines.

Exmouth Coastguard Rescue Team were assigned to the search and rescue operation at around 10.50pm yesterday.

They were joined in the search by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and a Devon and Cornwall Police helicopter.