A windsurfer had to be rescued after his mast snapped, leaving him stranded almost a mile out at sea in treacherous conditions.

The Littlestone lifeboat crew was forced into a dramatic recovery when the surfer started drifting into the shipping lanes in the English Channel on Saturday afternoon.

Facing winds of more than 50km/h and waves up to 20ft high, the volunteer crew of John Ruffhead, Iain Bates and Heather Crittenden had to get to the stranded sports enthusiast as quickly as possible.

After reaching the casualty, who was reportedly barely visible from the launch ramp, the crew managed to get both him and his surf board onto the lifeboat, minus the lost mast and sail.

Mr Ruffhead, who is the lifeboat's helm, said: "A definite case of a life saved today.

"This guy was heading for a lot of trouble, he was drifting fast but had done everything right.

"He had a means to call the Coastguard and had got himself onto his board to be as high as possible so that he was more visible."

The lifeboat was recovered by the volunteer shore crew and the casualty checked over once more and after a short time made his way home.

The RNLI lifeboat was then washed, refuelled and made ready for service.

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