A kayaker was rescued by lifeboat teams off the coast of west Cumbria this morning.

A call was made to Belfast Coastguard Operations Centre (CGOC) shortly before 9.30am that a kayaker was in difficulties five nautical miles west of St Bees.

The kayaker had made contact with the operations room early in the morning to advise of his departure and planned route to the Isle of Man.

Coastguard rescue officers based in Whitehaven took up vantage points along the cliffs to try to locate the casualty and we requested assistance from colleagues in Maryport.

In a post on its Facebook page, Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team said: "Initially St Bees RNLI and Workington Lifeboat, along with Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 199 from Prestwick joined us for the search. Shortly afterwards, assistance was requested for Barrow lifeboat, Ramsey lifeboat and Douglas lifeboats to join the search.

"Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 199 located the casualty within the search area after approximately two hours into the search.

"The casualty was found to be on top of his upturned kayak and once winched aboard the helicopter was found to be slightly cold but not requiring any medical attention.

"Workington lifeboat recovered the kayak and the helicopter transferred the casualty to Workington where they were met by Maryport Coastguard Rescue Team.

"Maryport rescue were also tasked to assist."