The youngster became stranded trying to look at the statues

Crews from the fire, ambulance and coastguard services were alerted on Crosby beach in Merseyside by a passer-by concerned for their safety.

It is thought the trio had walked out too far to look at the life-size statues currently on display.

The naked cast iron figures were unveiled earlier this month.

Artist's body

Mr Gormley, the creator of the Angel of the North has cast 100 of the figures rising out of the sand on the beach.

Called Another Place, the attraction has already been exhibited in Belgium, Norway and Germany. It is the first time it has been shown in the UK.

Contractors spent three weeks lifting the pieces into place.

Each statue is a cast of the artist's own body, weighing 650kg and standing 1.96m tall.

The figures spread 3km along the coastline and 1km out to sea.

They will be partly submerged at different times of day, depending on changing tides and weather conditions.