A person thought to be cut off by the tide on a notorious stretch of coast sparked a rescue alert.

Lyme Regis Coastguard Rescue Team was alerted to a report of a person cut off by the tide and trying to climb the cliffs between Lyme Regis and Charmouth. The boggy stretch of coast is hazardous due to mud flows and landslips.

Coastguards from West Bay also responded in case a rope rescue was required and Lyme Regis Lifeboat was also launched to ensure rescuers could spot anything from the sea.

A Lyme Regis Coastguard spokesman said: "On arrival at Charmouth, we met with the first informant and quickly identified the ‘target’ casualty. The lifeboat had also quickly identified the person in question and manoeuvred close enough to be able to communicate with him.

"The male was not in immediate danger and was ‘fossiling’. He was happy to wait for the tide to fall. All search and rescue assets were stood down.

"Thank you to the members of the public that made the initial call – far better to be safe than sorry."