A BRAVE Police Community Support Officer rescued a distressed woman from the sea off Walton.

PCSO Paul Brassey was the first on the scene after the woman called police for help on Saturday.

A spokesman for the force said she called 999 and said she was suicidal and heading towards Walton seafront.

PCSO Brassey initially spoke to the woman, who was waist deep in the sea, from the beach.

The spokesman added: "After a few words the woman turned and ran further into the sea.

"Discarding his protective equipment PCSO Brassey ran after her and dragged her back to the beach where his colleagues had just arrived."

Paramedics from the East of England Ambulance Service were called to the scene to treat the woman, who is now receiving the appropriate care and support.