A windsurfer who got into difficulties off Minnis Bay was rescued by crews in a passing vessel - after a major land and sea operation was launched.

RNLI lifeguards lost sight of the 50-year-old off the north Kent coast at around 10.15am yesterday, and alerted coastguards.

Margate's inshore lifeboat was launched, together with the Coastguard helicopter from Lydd.

But, after he failed to appear in the place he was last seen, the coastal survey vessel Thames Guardian found him in the water around two miles away.

The vessel's crew pulled the windsurfer on board and gave him initial casualty care, as he was showing signs of shock and seasickness.

The lifeboat then took him to the beach at Minnis Bay, where he was handed over to the lifeguard and coastguard teams.

Ambulance crews then took over.

Peter Barker, volunteer lifeboat press officer at Margate Lifeboat Station, said: "This chap owes his life to the vigilance of both the RNLI lifeguards and the passing survey vessel which located him some distance from where he got into difficulties.

"If you see anything suspicious at sea dial 999 and ask for coastguard, you could save someone’s life.’