Anglers are being warned to check tide times after a leisurely fishing trip almost turned to tragedy at the weekend.

The pair, who had gone fishing on Saturday afternoon, had to be rescued by the RNLI after they became stranded on the breakwater at Newhaven.

Deputy second Coxswain for the Newhaven crew, Phill Corsi, said the pair was “lucky” not to be washed into the sea.

He called on anglers and any beach-goers to check weather conditions and tide times before go out.

Newhaven’s Severn Class lifeboat Volunteer Spirit was launched at 4.15pm to reports of two people in the water on the west side of Newhaven’s main breakwater.

Crew members were readied in dry suits to carry out a rescue and an inflatable boat was prepared.

The pair, who are understood to have walked to the breakwater at low tide, had become trapped by the rising waters.

RNLI volunteers assessed the situation before deciding to rescue the pair from the top of the breakwater.

The fire brigade was also called in and worked with the coastguard to make sure a ladder was rigged and secured. A safety harness was then placed on one of the casualty and he was assisted up the face of the breakwater. Shortly afterwards the second casualty was rescued.

Deputy second Coxswain Phill Corsi said: “The two casualties were very lucky that the conditions had not deteriorated further otherwise they could have been washed into the sea.

“We would always recommend that anyone using the beaches or other marine structures check the weather forecast and tides times before setting out as this incident could have turned into a tragedy.”