Group rescued after being cut off by rising tide at Beachy Head

The group had set out for an evening walk along the shoreline but had miscalculated the tides and when one of them suffered a suspected broken ankle their situation became serious.

Trapped on the beach at Shooters Bottom, they were driven to the foot of the cliffs by the incoming tide and with no mobile phone signal were unable to call for help.

One of the group scrambled over dangerous rocks in a desperate attempt to obtain a signal, meanwhile family and friends were frantically searching the area in the gathering gloom.

Police and HM Coastguard were eventually contacted and the alarm was raised.

Both Eastbourne lifeboats were scrambled along with coastguard rescue helicopter 163.

When on scene a paramedic crewman from the all-weather lifeboat (ALB) was taken ashore to assist the injured walker.

Her injury was stabilised and she was then transferred via the inshore lifeboat to the ALB (pictured) along with the other three remaining walkers.

With all the casualties safe aboard the ALB the rescue helicopter was stood down.

The casualties were taken to the ALB station where they were reunited with their anxious families.