A skipper was rescued from the sea after abandoning his boat which was rocked by multiple explosions during a fire, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said.

He tried fighting the blaze but went overboard from the vessel Margaret Rose today when it became engulfed in flames.

A bid to rescue the man from his life-raft involving the Coastguard helicopter, RNLI lifeboats and Solent Coastguard was launched after the man dialled 999 at around 10am.

He was eventually recovered and taken to shore without any injuries, follwoing the incident six miles off Shoreham, West Sussex an MCA spokesman said.

An RNLI lifeboat remained on scene monitoring his blazing vessel, which carried 150 litres of diesel and two gas canisters.

Jenna Smith, watch officer for the Solent Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, said: ''This was a very dangerous situation and required a swift response.

''The boat was well alight and very hazardous, as it is carrying around 150 litres of diesel and two gas canisters.

"We continue to monitor the situation and have advised boats to stay away from the immediate vicinity of the incident.''