COASTGUARDS were called out to Black Ven this morning amid fears that fossil-hunters had been cut off by the tide.

The alarm was raised at around 11.03am with reports that four people were in trouble off the coast between Charmouth and Lyme Regis.

Upon arrival at the East Sea wall, officers quickly spotted the individuals, who had waded through surf water and were up on a ledge.

"Once they spotted the Coastguard team, they gave us a the ‘all safe’ hand signal that has been agreed with the local fossil hunting community," a spokesman for Lyme Regis Coastguard said.

"This signal indicates that they are okay and not in need of any help. We would like to thank all the members of the public who raised the alarm as it so easily could have been different circumstances.

"We would also like to thank the fossil hunters for making it clear to the team that they were okay.

"For emergencies on the sea, cliff, river, mud, harbour and beach call 999 and ask for the coastguard."