A kite surfer, who had got into difficulty, was helped by St Bees lifeboat crew while a major search was underway to find someone else.

The lifeboat team had been searching for missing person, David Killen, last night - who has since been found- when they came across another incident.

A kite surfer had got caught up in a squall and was seen being dragged along the beach close to the lifeboat station at St Bees.

The water had been choppy and rain had also made conditions along the coastline difficult, say the RNLI.

The lifeboat team assisted the kite surfer and helped him back to the station.

"Members of the shore crew administered first aid before his friends, who had remained on the beach to recover his kit, took him home", the RNLI said.

Dick Beddows, St Bees lifeboat operations manager, said: "I am pleased we were on hand to help the wind surfer and hope he makes a quick recovery."

The incident took place during a search to find another man, Mr Killen, from the Woodhouse area of Whitehaven who was reported missing yesterday.

Cumbria Police confirmed this morning that the man had been found safe and well overnight.

A major search had been carried out by the RNLI, Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team and Cumbria Police.

The RNLI was asked to look for the missing person between Fleswick Bay and Whitehaven Harbour.

It said the team along with Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team carried out an extensive shoreline search in difficult conditions, of choppy water, rain and fading light.

Coastguards from Whitehaven and Maryport also conducted a search of clifftop paths and shoreline areas.

All search and rescue teams were stood down after being informed by Cumbria Police that the missing person had been found safe.

Mr Beddows said: "This search and rescue operation was a great example of the Cumbrian emergency services working well together."