Video has captured the moment a group of paddle-boarders were warned to get out of the ocean in California after 15 great white sharks were spotted circling nearby.

A sheriff's helicopter crew were flying overhead in Dana Point, Orange County, when they spotted the predators close to the surf line.

Deputy Brian Stockbridge then switched on the helicopter loudspeaker and told the group to exit the water as the sharks swam near several of the boarders.

He said: "You are paddle-boarding next to approximately 15 great white sharks.

"They are advising you exit the water in a calm manner. The sharks are as close as the surf-line."


Image: The sharks were spotted from the area close to the beach in Dana Point, Orange County

Warnings have been posted on beaches up and down south California after shark sightings this week.

One woman suffered wounds to part of her upper thigh after she was bitten by a shark at San Onofre State Beach on 29 April.

Shark sightings are not uncommon in California, but attacks are rare.

Marine safety officials have attributed an increase in sightings to a "thriving aquatic ecosystem" in the area and said up to 10 juvenile sharks swim near Long Beach every day.

Last year, a woman was bitten by a shark while swimming off Corona del Mar, around 15 miles north of the latest sighting.

Experts estimated the shark was at least 10ft long after analysing the bite marks.