COASTGUARDS in West Somerset have carried out their first rescue of the New Year after two people were cut off by the incoming tide and became stuck on a cliff face.

They were walking the beach between Blue Anchor and Watchet on Sunday when the rising tide forced them to start climbing the cliffs.

However, they became stranded at the base of a plateau, unable to climb further, out of site of the beach and hidden in woods to the east of Blue Anchor, and called 999 for help.

Watchet and Minehead Coastguards searched for the couple from the land side while Minehead Lifeboat was launched to make a seaborne approach, with a Lynmouth Coastguard cliff rescue team as a search and rescue back up.

Once the couple had been located, a coastguard cliff rescue technician descended the cliff with a second member of the team to help recover them and bring them to safety.

Neither person was injured and they were hauled to the clifftop using a manual recovery system.

A coastguard spokesman said afterwards anybody taking a walk on the shoreline was reminded to check tide times and be aware of which parts of beaches were liable to be cut off, asking local people for advice if they were unsure. 

The spokesman said: “If you become stuck or stranded we would advise not to take risks and climb cliffs, and to dial 999 and ask for the coastguard immediately.”