TWO surfers had a lucky escape when they were plucked from rough seas off the Kent coast by Coastguard cliff rescue teams on Friday.

A full air sea rescue operation was launched with Ramsgate inshore and offshore lifeboats, two ambulances and the Essex police helicopter sent to bring the men back to safety.

The surfers, part of a dozen strong group catching the waves of rough seas off the beach at Joss Bay, near Broadstairs, had been swept further along the bay and had been forced to take refuge on a ledge at the base of the 60 feet high cliff.

A third surfer saw they were in trouble and tried to assist them but became stranded himself nearby. He was later escorted back along the beach to safety by the coastguard as the tide receded.

Coastguard rescue teams from Margate and Deal were summoned to winch the men, neither of whom were injured, up the cliff face.

Paramedics took them to Margate's Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital where they were treated for the effects of cold. They had been standing in their wetsuits at the base of the cliff for up to an hour.

One of the surfers is thought to be a Thanet man and the other from Whitstable.