A swimmer found unconscious in the sea as temperatures touched freezing was given CPR by lifeboat crews, it has emerged.

The man was seen entering the water but not returning to the beach near Sandown in Deal, prompting calls to the RNLI Walmer Lifeboat at just after midday on Saturday.

Within nine minutes, the station’s D Class lifeboat had launched a search and rescue attempt.

The helm, Lee Waddon, used his experience and local knowledge while a search began north of Deal Pier, close to where some clothing had been reported on the beach.

When crews were a mile-and-a-half from the swimmer's last reported position, one of the team spotted something in the water.

At first they thought it was a pot marker, but soon realised it was the man, who was cold and unconscious.

He was quickly pulled from the sea and brought aboard the lifeboat.

Teams gave CPR until they reached the shore, where they were joined by two crews from the station's Atlantic lifeboat, paramedics, the Deal Coastguard Rescue Team and the Coastguard rescue helicopter from Lydd.

The swimmer, who was then in a stable condition, was taken to the helicopter and airlifted to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford.

Speaking at the crew debrief on their return, station operations manager Denis Brophy praised the crew for their prompt response, professionalism and teamwork in dealing with the casualty.

Commenting on the details shared on social media, people praised the lifeboat crew for their "superb teamwork" in a mission which "could have ended very differently."

One said: "Paged and launched in nine minutes is one level of awesome, but to locate and get the casualty stable, well done."

Another added: "A life saved just in time for sure. There will be people very glad you were there and do what you do."

Expressing gratitude, one woman said: "Absolutely well done to all involved - hopefully the casualty will recover fully.

"Another reason for everyone to carry on supporting the RNLI."