A distraught dad has paid a touching tribute to his "beautiful children" days after they drowned at sea.

Haider Shamas, 18, and his sister Malaika, 14, got into difficulty in the water in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, last week.

They were holidaying in the resort with their family from Luton, Bedfordshire, where their heartbroken dad told of his grief today.

Fighting back the tears, Shamas Riaz said: "I miss both of them. We were close, very close. It's a big shock.

"They were beautiful. I miss them.

"Haider was great. He liked sport, to study. Malika was happy. She made other people happy.

"Be careful where you go. If you don't know if your child can swim, make sure they definitely can swim.

A 15-year-old girl, who is a relative, was also pulled from the sea with the pair. She is expected to recover.

But the family told ITV News there should have been more warning signs on and near the beach.

Haider and Malika's uncle Majid Riaz said: "The authorities knew of what happened a year before, they should have improved the safety measurements for the families coming.

"Now we suffered it. It does get you angry."

But Tendring District Council, which controls the area, insists the beach is safe.

Councillor Giancarlo Guglielmi said a forum, including members of the RNLI, fire service and coastguard, set up following the tragedy found the signs warning of the potential dangers of the sea were "adequate".

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