TWO people were helped to safety by Sidmouth Lifeboat after they got cut off by the tide on Sunday. The lifeboat crew was called into action at about 4.30pm following a call from Portland Coastguard of a man and woman, both from Exeter, caught between San

TWO people were helped to safety by Sidmouth Lifeboat after they got cut off by the tide on Sunday.

The lifeboat crew was called into action at about 4.30pm following a call from Portland Coastguard of a man and woman, both from Exeter, caught between Sandy Cove and Ladram Bay.

Exmouth Coastguard, also tasked to the rescue, went to Hern point rock and helped to walk the stranded pair to a safe pick up point in Sandy Cove.

Sidmouth Lifeboat crew member Simon Priestley went ashore to guide the couple back to the boat.

They were then ferried to a safe place near Ladram Bay and handed over to Exmouth Coastguard.

The Lifeboat crew included senior coxswain Phil Shepperd, navigator, Andy Downham, crew member, Simon Priestley and Dennis Hutchings operated the tractor.

Alan Phillips, of Sidmouth Lifeboat, said: "They were fine, fit and well when they got ashore."

"It is a possibility, with the low tide, they walked from Ladram Bay up to the east and got as far as Sandy Cove by which time the tide had come in."

The rescue on Sunday has prompted the crew to issue a warning to people walking on the beach.

Mr Phillips added: "There could be a bigger influx of people to Britain because the Euro at the minute has made it more attractive

"Especially with spring starting and Easter coming up we would advise people to check tide times and make sure they don't get cut off..

"It could be quite dangerous on some areas of the coast line as the tide comes right up to the cliffs. Always ring the coastguard or look in the local paper for tide times.