Walkers along the coast are being urged to check tide times after rescuers were scrambled following reports of two people and a dog cut off at the coast.

Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat was launched when coastguards reported two people and a dog cut off by the tide at Black Venn, between Charmouth and Lyme Regis.

The lifeboat crew were in communication with Lyme Regis Coastguard Rescue Team and conducted searches along the beach but were later stood down by the coastguard when it was found no people were found to be in any difficulty.

Lyme Regis Coastguard said it treated the call as a ‘false alarm with good intent’.

Nick Marks, volunteer lifeboat operations manager in Lyme Regis, said: “Conditions around the coastline this weekend are challenging with high tidal surges, large surf and potential cliff falls.

“Anyone out walking should check the tide times prior to setting off.

“As always, if you see someone in difficulty, please call 999 and ask for the coastguard.”

The lifeboat was launched at 4.20pm on Thursday and returned to Lyme Regis harbour an hour later.

This was the 23rd emergency call answered by the RNLI volunteer crew at Lyme Regis so far this year.