Police are continuing their investigation into the death of a man who fell from a cliff while trying to escape the rising tide at a west Wales beach.

Peter Mantle, 47, had gone for a walk with his 11-year-old grandson on the beach at Aberporth near Cardigan.

Lee Williams was found clinging to a ledge on the cliff face by a rescue team using thermal imaging equipment after the pair were apparently cut off by the tide. His grandfather's body was discovered nearby.

He has now been released from hospital after receiving treatment for hypothermia.

Rescue

Dyfed Powys Police, coastguards, and an inshore lifeboat were involved in the rescue operation on Saturday night after the pair failed to return from an afternoon walk in the Penbryn beach area near Aberporth, west Wales.

Lee was finally spotted at 2315GMT by a coastguard rescue team .

He was then taken to Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest where he was detained overnight suffering from hypothermia.

A police spokeswoman said he was found clinging to the face of cliffs, 50ft from the base with his dog, Sophie, where they are believed to have been trapped for up to five hours.

It is believed the pair were forced to scale the cliffs after being cut off by an incoming high spring tide.

Coastguards at Milford Haven said the alarm was raised by family members when the boy and his grandfather failed to return from a walk.

Airlifted to safety

"The youngster was located and airlifted to hospital by police helicopter.

"It is still not clear whether there was an accident on the cliff or whether the adult was taken ill," said a coastguard spokesman.

Dyfed Powys Police believe the tragedy began when a high spring tide came in suddenly.

The boy was on a half-term visit from England to his grandparents who live in the Sarnau area.

Alarm

A force spokesman said the 47-year-old grandfather had moved to the area two-and-a-half years ago from outside Wales.

The boy's grandmother had raised the alarm when they failed to return.

"We hope to speak to him about the circumstances of the tragedy when he is well enough after his ordeal," said a police spokesman.

A post mortem examination was due to be carried out on the boy's grandfather.