Four teenagers have been charged with multiple counts of rape in a UK seaside town in what has been described by police as an "incredibly serious incident". Avon and Somerset said two 17-year-olds, an 18-year-old, and a 19-year-old have been charged in connection with a rape investigation in Weston-super-Mare.

Tommy Campbell, 19 and from Weston-super-Mare, has been charged with six counts of rape, one count of sexual assault, one count of false imprisonment, and one count of assault causing actual bodily harm. Rio Welling, 18 and from Weston-super-Mare, has been charged with two counts of rape and one count of false imprisonment.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, has been charged with three counts of rape, one count of false imprisonment, and one count of assault causing actual bodily harm.

A second 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, has been charged with one count of rape and one count of assault causing actual bodily harm.

They have been remanded in custody and will appear at Taunton Magistrates' Court today (July 11).

Detective Inspector Natalie Thatcher said: "Our investigation into this incredibly serious incident has been taking place over the past few weeks, and the charges authorised by the Crown Prosecution Service are a significant milestone.

"The victim has been updated by specially trained officers who will continue to provide her with as much support as she needs.

"We are aware the coordinated pre-planned arrest attempts across Weston and Worle on Thursday did cause some local concern, which is why we wanted to be transparent around why they were necessary.

"We would like to thank people for their patience while those enquiries were carried out."