A COUPLE were winched to safety by a rescue helicopter after becoming stranded in Walton.

Coastguards received an emergency call from an elderly woman who was stuck with her husband at the base of the Naze cliffs.

They had been walking along the beach when the tide cut them off from the cliff steps.

Walton’s coastguard rescue team located the couple and directed the Sea King rescue helicopter to their position.

The helicopter crew winched them up and landed them on the cliff top.

The couple did not need medical assistance after the incident, which happened at about 2.30pm on Saturday.