A LIFEBOAT was launched to reports people had been cut by the tide in west Dorset.

The Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat was called into action on Friday, March 25, after receiving a report a group of people had been cut off in the Black Ven area, east of the town.

A Lyme Regis RNLI spokesman said: “The lifeboat was launched at 7.15pm and the crew carried out an extensive shoreline search east and west of Charmouth, assisting coastguards ashore and the rescue helicopter.

“Nothing was found and coastguards stood down the lifeboat crew at 8.15pm.”