A FAMILY has thanked their rescuers after being cut off by the tide at Lyme Regis.

The incident on Monday evening came at the end of a busy weekend for Lyme’s lifeboat and coastguard volunteers as visitors flocked to the coast to make the most of the warm weather.

Neil Everett, 41, his wife Samantha and their six-year-old son Matthew, were fossil hunting on the beach at Church Cliff when they realised they were stranded.

Mr Everett called Portland Coastguard who alerted the lifeboat.

The family, from Cavalier Way, Yeovil, were picked up by the lifeboat and taken to the safety of the harbour and all were safe and well.

Mr Everett said: “We were really enjoying ourselves until I realised the tide was coming in, so I rang the coastguard for assistance. We were very pleased to see the lifeboat.”

Coastguards have warned people of the risks while walking and exploring along the coast.

A spokesman said: “Always check the weather and tidal conditions before you set out so that you can prepare accordingly.

“Consider whether you could become cut off and do not take risks.

“This family who were visiting for the day to hunt for fossils phoned the coastguard as soon as they knew they were in trouble.

“Please do not attempt to climb cliffs as a shortcut back to the top or self rescue.”

The first of the incidents over the weekend was on Saturday afternoon with reports of a small speedboat in trouble off Charmouth.

A coastguard spokesman said: “It was kept under observation for 40 minutes, during which time the engine had to be restarted at least three times.”

The RNLI lifeboat was launched and when the crew arrived on scene they found the boat’s engine was working well and both fishermen aboard reported no difficulties.

The incident was recorded as a false alarm with good intent.

An injured waterskier was brought ashore on Sunday afternoon as coastguard rescue officers attended the Blessing of the Boats ceremony outside the lifeboat station.

The skier was attended by a paramedic and the powerboat crew until an ambulance arrived.

The Lyme officers kept Portland Coastguard control room informed throughout the incident.