TWO anglers stranded on rocks by a rapidly incoming tide were dramatically rescued by coastguards.

The men were winched to safety up a 50-foot Kimmeridge cliff face in torchlight after a mystery call.

Coastguards were alerted to the crisis when they received the weak and distorted radio message: Broad Bench... Not a vessel... At risk'.

Kimmeridge Coastguard rescue officers discovered two people at the base of a cliff surrounded by the sea and cut off by incoming tide.

St Albans Coastguard rescue team and Swanage RNLI inshore all weather lifeboats lit the scene with torchlight while a Kimmeridge officer winched the men to safety.

Coastguards had decided a boat rescue was too dangerous because of the shallow waters and rocks.

Portland Coastguard watch manager Bruce Lack said: "These two men are extremely lucky to have survived this experience.

"If they had not been seen they would have spent half the night in this inhospitable area - at worst they may have lost their lives.

"We are pleased that coastguards were able to rescue the two casualties and would warn members of the public about wandering the inhospitable and sometimes dangerous stretches of coastline especially when the tide is coming in and day is drawing to a close.

"Even if people in difficulties are spotted rescues are significantly harder in the dark."

He added that the man who alerted coastguard had not identified himself.

Coastguards also responded to other incidents over the weekend.

In Lyme Regis Harbour, teams helped ambulance crew carry a collapsed man from a boat. The 57-year-old was taken to Dorset County Hospital, Dorchester.

A sailor aboard the yacht Discovery was taken to hospital after falling ill 16 miles off St Albans Head.

The man was taken to Poole Town Quay Marina where he was met by coastguard and ambulance crew.