Ferry saves 17 from rising tide on Norfolk island

Seventeen people, including a three-month-old baby, were rescued by a ferry when they became cut off by the tide at a nature reserve in Norfolk.

Yarmouth Coastguard said 11 adults, six children and two dogs were stranded at Scolt Head Island, near Wells, at 1815 BST.

The site is reached by a ferry from the village of Burnham Overy Staithe, where all 17 were returned by 2015 BST.

They were not in immediate danger, the coastguard said.

Wells Coastguard rescue team and the RNLI inshore lifeboat were also called out, along with three kayaks.

The rescue helicopter also flew over the island to check there was no one remaining on the beach as the sea continued to rise.

Christina Martyn, watch manager at Yarmouth Coastguard, said: "As ever, people tend to forget that the sea rises twice a day, and that it is the easiest thing to forget and become stuck on the island with seemingly no way back to the mainland.

"Natural England, who look after the reserve, warn visitors to be aware of the tide times."