Two walkers trapped under cliffs rescued

Two men were cut off by the tide under Fairlight Cliffs on Thursday

Rescuers have warned people to check tide times before heading out near the coast as two walkers became trapped beneath cliffs in East Sussex after being cut off by the tide.

Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat received a report at 01:50 BST on Thursday that two men were lost between Fairlight and Pett Level.

The rescue boat, along with HM Coastguard Rye Bay and HM Coastguard Hastings, found the pair west of Cliff End.

Steve Hill, chairperson of the rescue boat, said: "We strongly advise people to check tide times on websites or apps before heading out because you can very easily get cut off by the tide, especially at night."

Steve Hill, chairperson of Pett Level Independent Rescue Boat, advises people should check tide times before heading to the coast

Mr Hill said this was their fourth rescue operation in the last month due to people being cut off by the tide underneath Fairlight Cliffs.

"With a rising tide and in complete darkness, the men were naturally concerned for their safety and moved up the cliff," Mr Hill added.

"The casualties used their mobile phone lights to indicate their position.

"Our crew went ashore to assist the men on to the boat and returned them to our boathouse to much-needed hot drinks and snacks."

Mr Hill said the men were "cold, wet and embarrassed".

Mr Hill said shoreline and cliffs can be a very different and disorientating environment after dark

He said people should take extra precautions before heading out to the coast.

"As the weather warms up, more people will be staying out longer," he said.

Mr Hill added that the shoreline and cliffs can be a very different and disorientating environment after dark.