A HUSBAND and wife who tried to walk from Tresaith to Penbryn had to be rescued after being cut off by an incoming tide on Tuesday afternoon.

The couple - believed to be holidaymakers - found themselves trapped in rising water but managed to make a 999 call giving their position.

It is understood that while trying to climb cliffs to safety, the woman slipped and fell, knocking herself unconscious.

Gwbert and New Quay coastguard teams attended as well as the Cardigan lifeboat and a Sea King helicopter also arrived on the scene.

"I gather the plan was to winch her aboard the Sea King but the woman refused," said an onlooker. "Maybe she didn’t have a head for heights or something."

"Instead the ’copter was landed on Aberporth beach and the woman brought ashore by lifeboat - but she still refused to get in the helicopter.

"They then decided to get an ambulance down from Aberystwyth, but when that finally arrived an hour later she refused to get in that as well and more or less discharged herself."