A 19-year-old lifeguard was applauded to shore as he hauled a stranded young swimmer to safety.

Hal Tooley spotted the boy caught in a rip current about 50 metres outside the RNLI patrolled zone – marked by red and yellow flags – off Lowestoft beach.

As the boy mounted a groyne in panic, about 150ft offshore, Hal took to the water and convinced him back in to clip onto a rescue tube. He was then able to tow the swimmer back to shore, where they were met by the boy’s father and a round of applause from members of the public last Thursday.

Lifeguard supervisor Liam Fayle-Parr said: “This incident shows how quickly swimmers can get into difficulty, particularly where rip currents occur.

“Hal has been with us for several seasons now and is a brilliant lifeguard. He is a really strong swimmer and is incredibly dedicated.”

He advised swimmers to stay within marked areas covered by lifeguards.