A sailor suffered a nasty arm injury during an accident on his boat which prompted a rescue by lifeboat crews.

The man, who has not been named, suffered the cuts while out on the River Medway and was unable to get back to shore.

Members of the Medway Coastguard rescue team were called out to The Strand area in Gillingham, shortly before 11pm last night.

Several emergency crews attended the scene, including South East Coast Ambulance Service, Kent Fire & Rescue Service and Kent Police.

It was decided to call in the Sheerness Lifeboat to get the sailor back to the shore as quickly as possible.

The man was on dry land within 20 minutes of its launch.

He was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital for treatment and has his wound stitched up.