This is the dramatic moment a Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) crew rescued three students stranded by a rising tide in Newhaven.

The group, who had been walking along the beach, found themselves trapped as the tide surged toward the base of the cliffs, leaving them with no way to return on Thursday, January 16.

Passing surfers spotted the students and helped move them to a safer area before calling for help.

The RNLI then promptly launched the D Class inshore lifeboat.

Footage shows emergency responders en route to rescue the trio. They were provided with lifejackets and safely transported back to the lifeboat station, where they were offered food and hot drinks.

One of the students, Prashik Sonawane, said: 'We felt like we were going to die.'

After the rescue, the group was attended to by the ambulance service.

RNLI officials reminded the public to always check tide times before venturing along the coast and to carry a means of calling for help.

The RNLI saves lives at sea through its 24-hour search and rescue services around the UK and Ireland. With 238 lifeboat stations and over 240 lifeguard units across the UK and the Channel Islands, its volunteers are dedicated to maritime safety.