A 'MASSIVE operation' was launched to save a day tripper from Birmingham who was cut off by the incoming tide at a Somerset beach.

Somerset County Gazette:

Coastguards were called out shortly before 8pm yesterday (Saturday) to reports of the man trapped on the Marine Parade rocks at Clevedon.

Clevedon Coastguards called in their counterparts from Weston-super-Mare, as well as the RNLI from Portishead and fire crews.

A Weston-super-Mare Coastguard Rescue Team social media post says: "On arrival it was discovered there was nowhere to place our stakes to facilitate the rescue.

Somerset County Gazette:

"The OIC (officer in charge) made the call for CG187, our helicopter based in St Athan to attend.

"Within 10 minutes that had scrambled, launched and arrived on scene.

"Lowering their winchman to the casualty’s location took precise flying due to the close proximity of the houses.

"Safely secured the casualty was winched to safety and taken to the waiting ambulance, where further team members had cleared a safe HLS (helicopter landing site).

Somerset County Gazette:

"This was a massive operation with multiple agencies all working in close proximity while still attempting to social distance."

The man who was rescued is reported to have travelled down from Birmingham for the day.

(Photos: Weston-super-Mare Coastguard Rescue Team).