A LIFEBOAT crew has criticised a man whose irresponsible actions turned a routine rescue into a potentially life-threatening incident.

The 36-year-old man was rescued by teams from Redcar lifeboat station when he became trapped by the rising tide at Huntcliff, Saltburn.

A member of the public made an emergency call just after 7pm last Friday, but when the crew arrived they could not see the man at the foot of the cliff - one of the highest in England.

The search between Saltburn and Skinningrove took an unexpected and dangerous turn when the crew spotted the man attempting to climb the unstable cliff.

Despite their frantic efforts to coax him down, he continued to scale the rock face and managed to reach 250ft.

Crew member Michael Picknett was forced to swim ashore in an attempt to convince the man to climb down to safety.

The man eventually relented and the crew brought him safely ashore at Saltburn beach.

Dave Cammish, of Redcar lifeboat, said the man had a very fortunate escape.

He said: "This man made a routine evacuation into a seriously life-threatening incident.

"Many people are rescued from the foot of the cliff, but few try to escape the tide by attempting to climb one of the highest cliffs in England.

"The last 50ft is an overhang and very unstable, and even experienced mountaineers wouldn't risk a cliff like that."

He warned other people to be aware of the dangerous nature of the tide around the cliffs and offered safety advice.

"Once the alarm has been raised, anyone trapped should assist the emergency services by waiting until help arrives, then doing what they are told.

"We have done this many times before and find it a big help if people do as we ask."

* A lifeboat was called out on Wednesday to help a fishing vessel which had become lost in dense fog.

The Pride of Leicester inshore lifeboat was launched from Staithes and Runswick lifeboat station at 2.40 to guide the lost vessel.

Helmsman Steve Iredale and two crew members found the boat and crew, which had become unsure of its position when the fog set in, and guided it back to Staithes Harbour.