An emergency response is under way at a beach in Devon following concern for people in the water, police said.

Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed that emergency services were called to Budleigh Salterton at 10.25am on Christmas Day.

The force said a number of people had been safely recovered to shore and would be checked by paramedics.

A spokesperson added: “Coastguard and RNLI crews are continuing search efforts in the water.

“There is a significant amount of emergency service personnel working on this incident and we ask that people do not enter the water along this stretch of coast while this incident is ongoing for public safety reasons.”

Earlier on Thursday, police told people not to enter the water and to avoid the area.

They urgently asked the public not to take part in the Christmas Day swim at Exmouth while emergency services were dealing with the incident.

In a statement, the Coastguard confirmed it had been alerted to the incident at about 10am on Thursday.

A spokeswoman said: “HM Coastguard is responding to reports of people in difficulty in the water at Budleigh Salterton today, 25 December.

“Alerted at around 10am, Exmouth and Beer Coastguard Rescue Teams, RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth, Teignmouth and Torbay and coastguard search and rescue helicopters have been sent to the scene to assist, alongside police and ambulance service.”

The RNLI said lifeboats from Exmouth, Torbay and Teignmouth were tasked to the incident.

A number of Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall were cancelled this year because of a yellow weather warning for wind.

The Met Office warned of “strong and gusty east to northeasterly winds” from 4am until 11.59pm on Christmas Day in parts of the south west of England and Wales.

It said peak gusts would reach 45-55mph but these could reach 55-65mph along some exposed costs and to the west of prominent hills.

Disruption could be caused to transport and power supplies, the forecaster said.

It added: “Large waves will be an additional hazard on some coasts.