A RESCUE operation was launched amid concerns for a wing surfer at Weymouth Bay.

Wyke Regis Coastguard and Weymouth inshore lifeboat crew were alerted to reports of a 'paddle boarder' in difficulty off the beach at Greenhill yesterday at around 2pm.

A spokesman for Wyke Coastguard said: "The casualty was in fact a wing surfer and had nearly made shore adjacent to the skate park when we, along with Weymouth inshore lifeboat arrived on scene."

"We had a quick chat to make sure he was ok and learned it was his first attempt - friends also wing surfing kept an eye on him."

Eyewitness Janet Craig was out walking along the Preston sea wall at around 2pm with her camera.

She said: "A guy was windsurfing - his sail looked like “Batman” and I thought would make a good photo against the ships.

"Then a coastguard vehicle pulled onto the pebbles and with that I could see the lifeboat making towards us - it seems someone phoned then as they thought he was in trouble - he made his way safely onto the beach."

Although the man was not in danger, coastguards praised the actions of the person who contacted emergency services.

"The 999 call, as always was the right thing to do if unsure someone is in difficulties or not," the coastguard spokesman said.

"In this case he wasn't - just learning with supervision - a False Alarm with Good Intent (FAWGI)."