TWO British women have died after getting into trouble in rough seas off the coast of Spain.

One of the women reportedly went to the rescue of her friend, who had gone for a late-night swim, when they both got swept away.

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Their bodies were discovered two miles (3km) from Lloret de Mar, a popular holiday resort on the Costa Brava.

They were reported missing at 4.15am today, Spanish search and rescue service Salvamento Maritimo said.

In a tweet it said the bodies of the women, believed to be aged 33 and 36, were found shortly after noon local time and had been taken to the neighbouring town of Blanes, 40 miles (64km) north of Barcelona.

A spokesman for the town hall in Lloret de Mar told Spanish website The Local that a group of five women had been warned not to go into the sea by a security guard at a beach bar, but two went in anyway.

When one of the swimmers got into difficulty, a friend on the shore went to her rescue and they both got swept out to sea.

Ana Riera told The Local: "It seems one of the original swimmers was able to get to shore but the other was struggling so a friend went to her rescue and they both got swept out to sea."

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We can confirm the death of two British nationals who had been reported missing in Lloret de Mar on October 1.

"We are providing support to the families and those who were travelling with the individuals at this difficult time."

Salvamento Maritimo said the bodies were discovered by a rescue helicopter.

Before the women were found, the search and rescue team said: "The weather and the conditions of the sea are very bad.

"We know the women are in danger in the sea. We don't know why they went for a swim."