A LIFEBOAT crew who were enjoying a team night out to see Roy 'Chubby' Brown were called out on a life-saving mission just as the show was due to start.

Crew members were paged as they were entering Whitby Pavilion to see the veteran North-East comic.

Two people had called 999 after getting cut off by the tide near Saltwick Nab in Whitby.

The RNLI's inshore lifeboat was launched at 6.45pm and returned the two people safely to the harbour. The boat was re housed at 7.10pm and the crew made it back for the show.

Coxwain Mike Russell said: "The volunteer crew did a brilliant job as always and managed to quickly retrieve the two people cut off, they even managed to make it back for the rest of the show.

"But on a serious note, we would like to remind people walking on the beach to check the tide times and make sure you know you can make it back, as these situations don't always have a happy ending."

The Northern Echo:

Whitby's inshore lifeboat

On Sunday, the crew were paged to help two people in kayaks from the water at Sandsend.

The inshore lifeboat was launched at 4.05pm, and when it arrived the RNLI beach lifeguards had already got the two people from the water and onto the beach.

Before returning the inshore lifeboat was sent to another two kayakers who were three quarters of a mile off Sandsend Ness. With a strong off shore wind it was decided that the safest option would be to transfer the two people to Sandsend.

Mr Russell said: "Well done to the lifeguards for their quick response in this situation where conditions can escalate fast.

"Quick decision making from the RNLI lifeguards and lifeboat volunteers meant that the safest possible outcome was achieved for all involved."