Families scale cliff to escape tide

Five children and three adults were rescued by an RAF helicopter after they were forced to scale cliffs near Burnham-On-Sea in Somerset to escape the incoming tide.

The group, six from Easton, Bristol, and two from Weston-super-Mare, were at Brean Down, when they were trapped. A car belonging to the couple from Weston was swamped by the tide.

Swansea Coastguard sent a rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor, in Devon, the Burnham-On-Sea coastguard rescue team and two RNLI lifeboats to rescue the group.

About half an hour after the initial call the team located the stranded group and the rescue helicopter winched all eight on board. They were taken to a nearby field where they were met by the coastguard rescue team.

Swansea Coastguard watch manager David Hughes said: "If you are going out for a walk along the coast always prepare by checking the tide times and wearing appropriate clothing and footwear.

Meanwhile, a scuba diver died in hospital after she was found unconscious in the North Sea off Seahouses, Northumberland.