TWO people spotted in the sea off a Dorset beach sparked a call-out from the coastguard.

Lyme Regis Coastguard responded to reports of two people ‘cut off’ by the tide at Black Ven, between Lyme and Charmouth at 5.54pm on Sunday, May 9.

As the coastguard crew arrived at the scene, they located the two people in the water and decided to launch a lifeboat to travel towards them.

The RNLI Lyme Regis lifeboat was able to get close enough to be able to speak with the two people in the sea.

Lyme Regis Coastguard say the pair said they were ‘more than happy to stay in their position’ whilst waiting for the tide to drop.

Following the call-out, a coastguard spokesman said: “For emergencies on the sea, cliff, river, mud, harbour and beach, call 999 and ask for the coastguard.”

The call-out came hours after seven rowers were rescued from the water after being thrown into the sea from a capsizing boat.

A lifeboat from Lyme Regis was launched after the gig capsized just outside the town’s harbour.

The seven men, all members of Lyme Regis Gig Club, were rowing the10-metre gig Black Ven when it was struck by two large waves.

The cox, Tony Colston, received a head injury, and after first aid from RNLI volunteers at the lifeboat station he was taken to hospital for checks. The other six were cold, wet and shaken but otherwise unhurt.