A family of five stranded on rocks by a rising tide had to be rescued by a lifeboat crew on Sunday evening.

The Staithes and Runswick Lifeboat was launched at 4pm after the Humber Coastguard received reports that five people had been cut off beneath cliffs between Staithes and Port Mulgrave, North Yorkshire.

The lifeboat, under the command of helmsman Mark Porritt, found the family perched on rocks within five minutes.

With two hours until high water it was decided that the best course of action was to get the people on to the lifeboat as quickly as possible.

For safety reasons the lifeboat returned to Staithes to collect protective clothing and life jackets for the family.

One crewman, Drew Baxter, was put ashore to remain with them until the boat returned.

All five were then dressed in dry suits and life jackets and put into the lifeboat, which returned to Staithes an hour later with the family safe and well.

Mr Porritt said: "Fortunately the sea and swell had calmed down after the recent northerly winds and the family were safely put aboard the lifeboat.

"With the weekend's exceptionally high tides they would have had a long wait until they could have walked to safety.

"We would advise all people to check the time of high tide when venturing beneath the cliffs."