Newquay RNLI lifeguards and volunteer lifeboat crews came to the aid of a couple who were cut off by the tide on Thursday afternoon.

Lifeguards at Watergate Bay launched the rescue water craft (RWC) after the couple, who are staying in Watergate Bay, became cut off by the incoming tide while walking along a stretch of beach between Watergate Bay and Whipsiderry.

They put a call into the local water sport centre Extreme Academy who alerted RNLI lifeguards Georges Tickner and Warren Llewllyn, who launched the RWC at 1pm, with both Newquay inshore lifeboats also called in to assist.

The lifeguards were able to reach the couple, who were metres from the incoming water, within minutes.

Georges Tickner, RNLI lifeguard at Watergate Bay, said: “We were able to reach the couple within five minutes of the call. They were both really relieved and thankful when we arrived. They were cold but unharmed.

"If they hadn’t called for help when they did they could have ended up waist deep in water and it would have been more serious.

"A lot of people can get caught out by the tide if they don’t know the area. We would encourage people visiting the beach to speak to the lifeguards about tide times and the sea conditions.’

Lifeguards took the woman back to the beach at Watergate Bay. The volunteer lifeboat crew on board the D Class inshore lifeboat picked the man up and transported him to the B Class Atlantic 85 lifeboat before he was taken into Newquay Harbour. He was then driven back to the beach by a volunteer crew member.