A LIFE-saving hovercraft financed in memory of a Worcester schoolgirl who drowned during a trip to the seaside has saved an Evesham man trapped in treacherous mud.

In its first rescue of the new year, The Spirit of Lelaina flew to the scene at Brean, near Burnham-on-Sea on Bank Holiday Monday to dig out Ian Makepeace who sank waist-deep after following his dog Honey out on to the mud flats 100 metres from the high-tide point.

Mr Makepeace's wife, who herself briefly encountered difficulties in the mud, freed herself and dialled 999 on a mobile phone to call for help.

The Coastguard Mud Rescue team was alerted and used specialist rescue equipment to free Mr Makepeace and Honey before taking them back to the safety of dry sand.

"The casualty was stuck deep in the mud and it took almost 15 minutes to dig him out," said Burnham Coastguard station officer Steve Bird. "He was firmly trapped and needed our help."

Alan Miller, chairman of Burnham Area Rescue Boat Service, said: "With a fast incoming tide, we didn't have a great deal of time to rescue him. He was very apologetic and said he was grateful for our assistance."

Mr Makepeace, who was very cold and fatigued, was checked over by a paramedic at the scene, before he and Honey were released unharmed.

The hovercraft was named after five-year-old Lelaina Hall who died during a family trip to Berrow beach, near Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, on Sunday, June 23, 2002.

The youngster, who had been a pupil at Olbury Park Primary School, St John's, wandered a mile from the shore during low tide and became stuck in the soft mud.

She drowned, before the rescue helicopter could reach her, as the tide came back in.

The incident touched the hearts of Worcester News readers who donated cash to a fund set up by the Western Daily Press which raised £115,000 for the craft and its boathouse.

During its first 18 months of operation, the hovercraft has helped and rescued more than 80 people along the Somerset coastline.