A trapped family of four had to be rescued by Newquay RNLI on Tuesday after finding themselves at the mercy of the incoming tide.

Falmouth coastguards received a 999 call from a member of the public reporting the family of two adults and two children cut off by the tie at the north end of Bedruthan steps.

Bedruthan is one of many long beaches with very limited access points making a hasty retreat very difficult.

The family who were visiting the beach on holiday from south London had not been aware of the changing tide and Falmouth Coastguard scrambled Newquay’s inshore RNLI lifeboats with Ben Eglinton and Ian Jepson at the helms.  The Coastguard also asked the RNLI lifeguards from Mawgan Porth if they could attend in their rescue boat.

RNLI lifeguards Lee Parker and Mark Ebbage were first on scene. Knowing the lifeboats were on the way and that the casualties were in no immediate danger they went ashore and reassured the family.

When the lifeboat Valerie Wilson arrived, crew member Ian Jepson took two of the casualties off the beach to the bottom of the steps before returning for the other two.

People holidaying in the area are always advised to check tide times and seek advice regarding the accessibility of long stretches of coast.