COASTGUARD and RNLI teams rescued a person from the water in the early hours off a Dorset beach.

The search and rescue helicopter assisted with the efforts at Avon Beach on Sunday morning.

Mudeford RNLI attended Avon Beach at 1.35am on August 8 after receiving reports of a person missing in the water.

The RNLI volunteer crew responded to the callout and the crew started a water-based, shoreline search from Mudeford Quay to Steamer Point and the shore crew, whose role it is to assist in the launch and recovery of the lifeboat, were tasked to perform a land based, shoreline search.

They worked alongside other emergency colleagues from Southbourne Coastguard and the HM Coastguard helicopter.

Mudeford RNLI volunteer shore crew reported hearing a shout for help and were able to give an approximate position.

The HM Coastguard helicopter then used its onboard equipment to locate the person in the water.

Having spent over an hour in the sea, they were brought onboard and taken back to the lifeboat station.

The casualty was assessed and monitored by crew members and there was some concern that they may have taken in water, so an ambulance was requested.

Once back at Mudeford Quay the casualty was handed over to the care of South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

Mudeford RNLI volunteer helm Simon Barnett said: “This was a great example of coordination by all of the emergency services involved and the many hours of training by all the volunteers at RNLI Mudeford really paid off with a good result.”