A coastguard helicopter was called out after a person had been cut off by the tide with no escape.

RNLI Eastbourne was called to the shoreline near the Belle Tout Lighthouse, Beachy Head, on Thursday afternoon after receiving reports from Solent Coastguard of a walker in need.

The lone walker had been spotted by a nearby Dutch motor yacht.

Volunteers in the RNLI crew launched the lifeboat and arrived at the scene along with the coastguard helicopter.

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A crew member from the RNLI was transferred to the shore to check on the casualty's welfare.

A life jacket was fitted and they were returned to Birling Gap by the lifeboat.

A spokesman for Birling Gap Coastguard said on Thursday: "This afternoon the team were tasked to locate a walker trapped by the incoming tide below Belle Tout lighthouse. Spotted by a passing Dutch motor yacht, raising the alarm via VHF.

"Once we located the yacht which sat on standby nearby the casualty, the inshore lifeboat recovered them back to Birling Gap to reunite them with their family.

"Please check tide times and conditions when walking the base of the cliffs, the walk is a lot longer and trickier than you think.

"Thanks to RNLI Eastbourne, Eastbourne Coastguard, Newhaven Coastguard, Coastguard helicopter 163 and Dankjewel en goeie reis to the Dutch vessel."