TWO fishermen were rescued after being cut off by the tide.

The men were spotted trapped on the sea defences at Newhaven as the tide started coming in.

One of them had already been swept into the sea and was suffering the effects of the cold and both had minor cuts.

An RNLI lifeboat crew from Newhaven was carrying out a training exercise near the scene and was diverted to help.

They launched a smaller boat to get to the two men as the wind increased and the waters became more choppy.

They were quickly transferred on to the boat but two large waves pushed it further up the rocks.

However the larger lifeboat threw a line and eventually managed to pull the boat clear.

The two casualties, who had been drenched for some time, were assessed and given blankets as crews took them back to the lifeboat station where they were checked over by ambulance staff and eventually sent home.

Newhaven lifeboat coxswain Paul Legendre said: “With one person having spent time in the water and large incoming tides which would have quickly covered the rocks, plus the choppy conditions, this could have so easily have been a double tragedy.”

The incident happened shortly before 11.30am on Sunday.