It was not a quiet Christmas Day for emergency services in Newquay following reports a person was cut off by the tide at Great Western Beach.

Members of Newquay RNLI Lifeboat and Newquay Coastguard Team were scrambled at 4.20pm.

The duty launch authority gave the go ahead for the charity's D class lifeboat to be launched in 2.5 metre surf, and to commence a search of the area to try and locate the casualty.

The Newquay Coastguard team liaised with relatives on the beach.The stranded person had managed to scramble to safety up steps near to the former Trebarwith Hotel where they were met by Newquay Coastguard members.

A spokesman for Newquay RNLI said: “The lifeboat crew were stood down at 4.35pm and made their way back to the station, the D class was recovered, cleaned and refuelled by the shore crew and eventually they all returned to their own celebrations.

“Amazing dedication by our colleagues and we're all thankful for a happy outcome.”