A COUPLE and their dog were rescued by lifeboat crew after getting stranded by rising tide near Hilbre Island while watching seals.

The West Kirby Lifeboat Seahorse was launched at 11.40am on Sunday on a rising tide to reports of people and their pet in difficulty at Middle Hilbre Island.

When the Coastguard's call came, lifeboat volunteers were at the Remembrance Service on West Kirby Cenotaph on Grange Hill.

After RNLI volunteer Tom Clark laid the Wreath in respect of HMS Eaglet, the crew left to go to the couple's aid.

A spokesman for the organisation said: "During this time the high incoming tide had engulfed them resulting in an impossible return to the mainland without assistance of HMCG and the RNLI volunteers.

"To compound matters, one of the couple had fallen and suffered a minor injury to his back and both were soaking wet from the waves of the incoming tide that had been whipped up by the wind while they endeavoured to seek safety and were; therefore, at a high risk of developing hypothermia due to the wind chill from the cold on-shore wind.

"Within ten minutes of launching the lifeboat the Charity’s volunteers were on scene at Middle Hilbre Island and able to help the stranded couple and their dog into the lifeboat and return them to the safety of the shore at the slipway on Dee Lane and into the hands of Coast Guards.

"The couple, although exceedingly cold and wet from their experience did not require and medical intervention and were grateful to the Royal National Lifeboat Institute volunteers and Coast Guards for their assistance."

Dave Henshaw, lifeboat operations manager, added: "Yet again a misunderstanding on reading the tides, so easy as it is a complicated subject but just remember 'danger = three hours either side of high water'."