Swimmer winched to safety almost a mile out to sea

An HM Coastguard helicopter and three lifeboat crews assisted in the rescue

A missing swimmer was winched to safety after being rescued almost a mile out to sea.

Three lifeboat crews and an HM Coastguard helicopter were called to a location off Winterton, Norfolk, at about 16:00 BST on Thursday.

A swimmer had been reported missing after someone was heard "shouting for help".

Caister Lifeboat, which recovered the man from the sea, said he had been taken to hospital by ambulance.

Hemsby Lifeboat described the conditions as "challenging" and said the rescue operation lasted almost two hours

A statement on Caister Lifeboat's Facebook page said: "A crew member on the Caister inshore lifeboat spotted a person in water 0.75 mile (1.2 km) off Winterton.

"The casualty was swiftly recovered. The HM Coastguard helicopter then winched the casualty from our lifeboat and brought them ashore."

The East of England Ambulance Service said it had "put in measures to increase his body temperature".

He was taken to the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston for further treatment.

Caister Lifeboat says time was getting "very critical" before the man was saved

Hemsby Lifeboat, which also assisted in the search, said it was thankful the casualty, thought to be in his 50s, had been "found and rescued quickly".

"This incident was another excellent example of a well-coordinated search operation involving Hemsby and Caister Lifeboats, along with the Coastguard,” a statement on Facebook said.

"We remind everyone that when swimming in the sea, open water, or rivers, buoyancy aids should always be used."

Last month, four men died in the space of four days in the water in Norfolk. It prompted numerous safety warnings for swimmers to take extra care.