A cross channel swimmer training off the Kent coast has been pulled from the water at Dover Beach this afternoon.

Emergency services - including the coastguard, Dover lifeboat, police and ambulances - were called at 12.30pm after the man in his 50s was spotted in difficulty near Dover Sea Sports centre.

A safety boat from the sea sports centre was able to reach the man and rescue him from the sea.

He was given CPR on the beach before being taken to hospital.

Orange smoke flares were released to help the coastguard helicopter find the scene and land, with the intention of flying the man to hospital.

However the decision was made to take him to the William Harvey in Ashford by road.

His condition is thought to be serious.

The swimmer was training as part of an organised cross channel swim group, and it is believed he had been in the water for about two hours before getting into difficulty.

RNLI Dover press officer Ed Baker said: “Obviously this is a very serious incident, our thoughts are with the male concerned, his family, friends and the channel swim organisation. Fantastic efforts were made by all emergency services involved".