RESCUE services helped to save a family at the weekend after they got cut off by the tide at Sandsend.

The two adults and two boys from Leeds, who were thought to be looking for fossils, tried to wade around the bottom of the cliff instead of going up a path to safety.

A passer-by spotted the family and the coastguards were alerted on Sunday, at 4.15pm.

Auxiliary coastguard Paul Waugh said: "There are big holes along the coast at that point and strong currents.

"One of the boys started to flounder so the we put lifejackets on and waded into the sea up to waist height to lead the family to safety."