TWO teenagers sparked a major rescue operation when they became trapped on cliffs between Blue Anchor and Doniford on Saturday evening.

The 17-year-old boys, who were staying at the Doniford Bay holiday park, decided to walk to Minehead along the beach but as darkness fell the incoming tide forced them to start climbing the cliffs.

The stranded teenagers managed to make a 999 call on a mobile phone at about 7.45pm and police were first on the scene.

Faced with poor weather and inaccessible cliffs, officers quickly called in coastguard search and rescue teams from both Watchet and Minehead.

A number of special constables and a police dog handler, along with Minehead's two lifeboats and the search and rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor, were also sent to help in the hunt to locate the teenagers.

It took nearly 90 minutes of searching for the helicopter to spot the pair on the cliff face north west of Warren Farm.

However, the weather conditions meant it was impossible for the RAF winchman to be lowered down to them so coastguards made their way to the scene and led the teenagers off the cliffs and back to the road.

The youngsters were uninjured but were suffering from the effects of the cold and wet weather so were checked out before being returned to their family at Doniford Bay.

Watchet-based coastguard rescue officer Simon Bale warned that anyone visiting the coastline should check out the tides and weather forecast before venturing out.

"If unfamiliar with the area, get local advice and where possible have a map and know how to read it," he said.