A man was rescued from the sea following an incident in Maryport.

Maryport Coastguard Rescue Team were called the harbour area of the town at about 2.45pm yesterday following reports of a man in distress.

Cumbria Police had alerted CGOC Belfast Coastguard who called on the local team to attend the scene.

The coastguard said: "The police attempted to make contact but unfortunately the casualty entered the water and proceeded to swim away from the pier.

"Maryport Inshore Rescue were already in the process of launching their ERB and were soon on scene to recover the casualty from the water and recover to their slipway."

The man was given first aid before he was transferred in to the care of paramedics.

Maryport Coastguard Rescue Team thanked CGOC Belfast, Maryport Inshore Rescue, Cumbria Police and the North West Ambulance Service for their "swift and professional service in what was yet another fine example of multi agency tasking."

If you think you see someone, or you find yourself in difficulty at or near the shoreline of the sea, river or inland waterway, dial 999 and ask for the coastguard.