A couple walking on a beach were cut off by the tide, as 'darkness rapidly approached'.

The couple had become stuck on Charton Bay - approximately three miles to the west of Lyme Regis Harbour - yesterday evening (November 7).

The Lyme Regis RNLI Lifeboat crew launched the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat Spirit of Loch Fyne at 4.40pm and were quickly on the scene.

The couple were located and two crew members made their way ashore to assess their health and prepare them to get onto the lifeboat.

The relatively mild sea conditions meant that volunteer Helm Seb Cope was able to position the bow of the lifeboat onto the shore allowing the couple, helped by the lifeboat crew, to scramble on board.

Upon returning to Lyme Regis harbour the casualties were met by members of the HM Coastguard and paramedics.

The RNLI say that despite being cold and anxious the couple were uninjured.

Lifeboat Helm Seb Cope said: "Darkness was rapidly approaching but we managed to find the casualties quite quickly. Thankfully they were fit and well although a bit cold.

"We were lucky that the sea state was low enough for me to beach the bow of the boat so that my crew could get the casualties on board directly from the shore.

"If there had been more of a sea running the rescue would have been much more difficult."

There are numerous places around Lyme Regis, both east and west, where it is possible to become cut off by the tide.

RNLI Water Safety advice is that you should always make allowance for the tide and have a clear plan of your walking route and how it may be affected by a rising tide.

Always carry a means of calling for help and dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard if you get into difficulty. Tide times for Lyme Regis can be found on the ‘Resources’ page of the Lyme Regis harbour website www.lymeregisharbour.co.uk.