Dover Lifeboat crew and a Belgian rescue helicopter have been involved in rescuing a man who was taken ill on board a dive ship off the Kent coast.

Coxswain Stuart Richardson and six crew went to the Neptune, 16 miles east north east of Dover, following reports that a man on board was suffering from symptoms indicative of either a cardiac problem or a stroke.

While on their way, the Coastguard contacted the lifeboat to say that because of the potential seriousness of the casualty's condition, the Belgian Air Force sea king helicopter Rescue 91 had also been asked to attend.

The lifeboat and helicopter arrived at the scene and two members of the helicopter crew were winched down to the boat.

With the lifeboat standing by the vessel, the helicopter lifted the casualty off and took him to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital at Margate.