Families rescued after getting stranded on beach

Two families stranded on a beach have been rescued by emergency services.

HM Coastguard said it roped nine people and a dog to safety after steps to the beach at Birling Gap, in East Sussex, were damaged by debris from a cliff fall.

The coastguard, which was called to the scene at about 14:30 GMT, said teams from Birling Gap, Newhaven and Eastbourne took part in the rescue.

The National Trust announced just after 15:00 GMT that beach access at the iconic beauty spot below the Seven Sisters was closed until further notice.

The rescue comes after Storm Chandra - the third to hit the UK this month - lashed Sussex with heavy rain and strong winds earlier.

Meanwhile, strong waves have revealed sand at the normally pebbly beach.

RNLI Eastbourne has urged visitors to not use the steps, to keep clear of the cliffs, and to not try to access the beach from Cow Gap as there will not be an exit.

The National Trust told the BBC earlier: "We ask all visitors to take care when heading to the beach, check tide times in advance and to keep well away from the cliff base at all times."

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