A man was rescued at Southbourne beach on Saturday afternoon.

Passers-by reported seeing a man lying in a kayak when paramedics treated him at the scene.

It is believed the casualty was treated by lifeguards who then requested assistance.

The air ambulance was spotted flying overhead in Boscombe before landing at the beach between Boscombe pier and Manor Steps.

The beach was cleared so the specialist paramedics could land.

Beach-goers then saw the ambulance take off around 5.40pm.

A spokesperson for South West Ambulance Service said they were called to Boscombe Pier at 3.37pm to reports of a patient with suspected leg injury.

The spokesman said: “The air ambulance was called as well, but the patient was taken by land ambulance to Poole Hospital.”