An eyewitness who watched a man and young children nearly get washed away by waves at Mullion harbour has said it 'beggars belief' that they would put themselves in such danger.

Despite widespread warnings to stay away from the sea during the recent wild weather, Phil Rodda spotted this man lift a child up to look over the harbour wall at Mullion Cove yesterday.

Phil said on Facebook: "It beggars belief. It was very windy & the sea was extremely rough. These photos show a bloke allowing a child to look over the harbour wall at the rough sea.

"Next minute the sea broke over them and knocked them to the ground. Fortunately, they weren't washed into the sea but were very lucky.

"Then mother, I assume, marched off with child in her arms with a soaking wet bloke following on behind. Unbelievable."