A lifeboat crew has been left "appalled and shocked" after two members were physically assaulted when they asked someone to move a vehicle parked on the emergency slipway.

The incident has been reported to police and has led to a serious warning from St Ives RNLI that the slipway must be reserved for the volunteer lifeboat crew so they can save lives.

A crew spokesperson said this morning: "Very shocking news to bring our followers this morning, in fact its difficult to believe we should need to communicate this message.

"Parking on our slipway is restricted for lifeboat crew and RNLI only. This is so our crew can quickly make their way to the lifeboat station and park and respond to save lives.

"Recently we have been consistently requesting individuals not to park on the slipway, and to please move their vehicles.

"Such an incident occurred once again yesterday evening, and when one of our shore crew volunteers and the son of one of our senior crew members requested an owner of a vehicle that had once again parked in the crew spaces, to please move that vehicle - they were both physically assaulted.

"Everyone of us at the station is appalled and shocked that this has happened.

"This is completely unacceptable in every way, our crew continue to provide a voluntary lifesaving service to the public in very busy, challenging and difficult conditions particularly right now, and should be able to do so without concerns to their physical safety."

They said the incident had been reported to the respective authorities, but added: "If we do ask you not to park on the lifeboat slipway, please work with us so we can continue to operate and respond quickly."