Four walkers had to be rescued by a lifeboat yesterday morning after becoming trapped at the foot of cliffs by the rising tide.

The group had set out from Birling Gap with the intention of walking along the beach to Holywell but had failed to take account of the speed of the rising tide.

They became cut off just east of Beachy Head lighthouse.

Their dilemma was spotted by the crew of a passing yacht which saw them trying to climb rocks to escape the advancing water.

After a call to Dover Coastguard, Eastbourne’s inshore lifeboat was launched and was quickly on scene to rescue them.

A lifeboat spokesman said: "It is sometimes difficult to get the message about tides across to visitors, especially if they are from overseas and are unable to understand the signage clearly displayed at the entrances to the beaches."