AN RNLI crew has been launched to help a windsurfer in difficulty at sea.

The Mudeford Servant Atlantic 85 lifeboat was tasked to help the windsurfer after he was spotted drifting towards Highcliffe beach.

The crew located the casualty east of Highcliffe Castle, and confirmed he was not in need of any medical assistance.

They brought him onboard the lifeboat, before taking him to land at Mudeford Quay.

The call out, on the afternoon of January 2, was the first launch of the Mudeford RNLI lifeboat this year.

RNLI volunteer helm, Nathan Jauns, said: “Because the windsurfer had taken the precaution of letting someone on shore know his whereabouts, this helped us respond quickly.

"Whenever, going out on the water, we always recommend letting someone on shore know where you are and always have a means of raising the alarm should you get into difficulty.”