Visitors to the Jurassic Coast are being warned not to risk their safety following back-to-back rescue operations.

With more families expected to visit Dorset this week during half-term, rescuers have warned people to heed warnings and stay safe on the coast.

Coastguards and other emergency services personnel have been alerted to numerous incidents – including a dramatic rescue on Sunday when five people including a child had to be airlifted after being cut off by the tide with the sea closing in on them.

The group were walking on the coast between Charmouth and Golden Cap when they became trapped. They told coastguards they were cut off by the tide, about 30 minutes’ walk from the fossil centre, and that the sea was about one metre away.

Coastguard teams from Lyme Regis and West Bay attended, and Lyme's lifeboat launched - however, due to treacherous conditions at sea, and nearby cliff steps having suffered storm damage, they were unable to pick up the group, and a coastguard helicopter was scrambled to airlift them ashore.

As it landed, another call came in about a dog which had fallen down a cliff and become trapped at nearby Seatown.

West Bay Coastguards were joined by a rope rescue team from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service - however, the dog "had no intention of being rescued", according to the coastguard, and instead "preferred to run away from its rescuer at every opportunity".

Backup from the Lyme Regis coastguard team arrived and officers tried to box the dog in and force it back towards the fire service team.

A coastguard spokesman said: "After a long period of coaxing, the dog finally accepted defeat and was safely captured and reunited with its very appreciative owners.

"It was a busy day on the coast, and a rare opportunity to work with the fire service and their rope rescue team - special thanks to the Anchor Inn at Seatown for providing a very welcome hot drink."

As reported in the Echo, coastguards were also called out over the weekend to deal with a dog rescue at West Cliff on Portland, to free a fossil hunter who was trapped in mud for 90 minutes at Black Ven near Charmouth, and also to help a climber who had fallen on rocks near Anvil Point, Swanage

The coastguard has the following advice to anyone heading out near the coast:

Remember to always check tide times online or at the beach before you set out

Make sure you have plenty of time to get back before the tide comes in

If you are heading out, stick to coastal paths, avoid mud and wear appropriate footwear and clothing

Let someone know where you are heading and when you expect to return, and carry a mobile phone

Avoid piers, rocks, harbours and the water’s edge when the weather is bad

Wave dodging is extremely dangerous - even a small wave can quickly wash you into the sea. No photograph or selfie is worth risking your life for

If you become stuck in mud, remain calm and keep as still as you can - don’t struggle as this could make the situation worse

If stuck in mud, spread your weight as much as possible and discourage others from attempting to rescue you - call the coastguard on 999, who will send a specially-trained mud rescue team