Two police officers have been praised for their "heroic" actions after they saved two men stranded off the Portobello coast in the early hours of Saturday morning.

PC Jamie Humpage from Craigmillar station and Leith-based PC Andy Hutton were among the first responders after two men were reported in deep water and in distress at about 3:20am on May 14.

Recognising the men's lives were in danger, the two officers chose to commandeer a boat from the nearby Portobello Sailing Club as no other suitable craft were available.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service provided the two PCs with life jackets.

PC Humpage and PC Hutton then sailed towards the men, helped them aboard the craft and returned them to shore.

The two men were taken by ambulance to Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary and were later discharged after check-ups. It is thought the men were in water for about 35 minutes.

Head of operations for Police Scotland in Edinburgh, superintendent Richard Horan, said the actions of the officers could "only be described as heroic".

Mr Horan said: "Whilst under significant pressure they managed to risk assess the situation and then engineer a successful, swift and safe rescue.

"I'm quite sure that had it not been for their tremendous bravery both stranded men would have lost their lives.

"Aside from having slightly damp uniforms, I'm pleased to say the officers were unharmed and are returning to active duty."

He added: "Our inquiries into the incident itself are ongoing as we look to establish the full set of circumstances, which led to the men being in the water."