Bodies of two British women washed ashore in northern Spain

The bodies of two women, who police had been searching for since the early hours of Thursday morning, were discovered washed up on the coast near the town of Blanes in the north-east of Spain.

Police had confirmed at just after 4:00 am that they were looking for two women, aged 33 and 36, who had not returned while swimming at night in rough seas.

The pair had been part of a group holidaying on the Spanish Costa Brava, when for reasons which have yet to be determined they decided to venture into the sea, despite the bad weather which was provoking high waves and strong currents.

A third person who also went into the sea was able to make it back to shore and reported her companions had been swept away.

Spanish Maritime Rescue services quickly deployed boats and divers, but the rescue mission rapidly turned into an operation to recover the bodies when it was clear they could not have survived the conditions.

The British Embassy in Madrid confirmed the tragedy and informed they were in touch with Spanish authorities and were preparing to provide assistance to the victims' families.

Coastal regions along the east and south east of Spain are currently on alert for high winds, rain and possible flash floods.

Wednesday saw a British man swept away in Malaga as he was caught in a usually dry river bed by rapidly rising flood waters and authorities are still searching for his body. Endit