FIREFIGHTERS have warned pranksters to think of the consequences before taking part in potentially dangerous dares after a major emergency operation was launched last night, wasting the precious time of the emergency services.

Two crews from Hightown and two from Eastleigh , along with four police cars and at least two coastguard units were sent to Weston Shore after three men were spotted waist deep in the water.

But when the emergency services got there, just before 8.30pm, it turned out that the three men, two aged in their teens, were not in any trouble and told police that it was a dare that had gone too far.