THIS video shows the dramatic moment a swimmer was rescued by the RNLI - who are warning about the dangers of swimming in cold water.

The woman was dragged onto a lifeboat craft after getting into trouble in icy waters in the Bristol Channel.

Crews from Portishead RNLI and Clevedon Coastguard Rescue Crew in Somerset were called to reports to the lone swimmer in difficulty.

They raced out to where the woman was swimming in Marine Lake in Clevedon and took her ashore where she was met by coastguard crews.

The shivering woman, who was in just a blue swimming costume, was clearly weak from the cold, and could barely stand on the rescue vessel without support from the crew.

She was wrapped in blankets and a survival bag and stretchered to a waiting ambulance to be taken to hospital for treatment.

And RNLI have now obtained the permission of the casualty to share footage of the rescue - as a way of warning against swimming in icy cold waters.

A spokesperson for RNLI Portishead wrote on Facebook: "Friends on the beach were able to raise the alarm as she was overdue and had been in the water quite some time for that time of year.

"You can see our swimmer was clear to see and easy for our volunteer crew to spot in the water. It was a good outcome.

"The benefits of outdoor swimming are well documented, but please be aware of any risks before you enter the water, particularly if you are new to our area or are thinking of giving it a go for the first time."

RNLI Portishead then outlined a few tips to keep open water swimmers safe.

These include:

- Never swim alone, always go with someone else to a familiar spot;

- Always check the weather forecast, including tide information and wave height;

- If in doubt, stay out, there is always another day to go for a swim;

- Take plenty of warm clothes for before and after your dip, along with a hot drink to help you warm up again when you come out of the water;

- Wearing a wetsuit will help increase your buoyancy and reduce the chances of suffering cold water shock;

- Be seen - wear a brightly coloured swim cap and consider using a tow float;

- Acclimatise to the water temperature slowly - never jump straight in;

- Stay in your depth and know your limits;

- If you get into trouble remember FLOAT to live by leaning back in the water, extending your arms and legs, and resisting the urge to thrash around to gain control of your breathing;

- Lastly, take a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch. If you or someone else is in trouble call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

The reduce was in December but the video released now as a warning.

ENDS