Four people and their dogs were dramatically plucked to safety after becoming cut off on a beach by heavy seas.

They ended up being airlifted to safety by a helicopter as rescue crews couldn't get to them on a lifeboat or by foot.

The group got stuck in the dark at Monmouth Beach, Lyme Regis.

Lyme Regis Coastguard were called out at just after 5pm on Sunday.

A spokesman said: "We were tasked, alongside our colleagues from Beer, and the Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat to reports of multiple persons cut off by the tide on Monmouth Beach. On arrival at the scene, the lifeboat was unable to reach the casualties due to the heavy sea state.

"HM Coastguard shore teams were also unable to reach the casualties as the waves had already reached the base of the cliffs with the tide still coming in. Coastguards managed to speak to the casualties who confirmed that they were safe as they had managed to reach a cliff ledge."

The team said with no means of being able to safely get to the group, a coastguard rescue helicopter was called in - and an aircraft was sent from Newquay.

The spokesman added: "Once on scene, the helicopter crew carried out a number of winch rescues to collect the four casualties and their two dogs.

"The coastguard teams set up a helicopter landing site on Monmouth Beach where the casualties and their dogs were dropped off. From there, they were taken to the lifeboat station wet, muddy and very cold from their ordeal.

"The coastguard encourages both locals and visitors to plan their day to the coast by carefully checking both the weather and the local tide times."