CALSHOT lifeboat rushed to the aid of two paddleboarders who were drifting into a shipping lane in the Solent.

The crew were alerted just before 4.30pm yesterday after the paddleboarders got into difficulty near an area known as Blackjack.

They were dangerously close to a container ship off the Bramble Bank when help arrived.

An RNLI spokesperson said the lifeboat was launched as quickly as possible and "rapidly extracted" the casualties before returning them safely to shore.

Deputy launching officer Diane Carrier added: "This was a very fast moving situation and with the volume of traffic in the shipping lane and the close proximity of a large container ship, every moment counted.

"It's a testament to the high level of training that our volunteer crew receive that we were able to launch quickly and rescue the casualties.

"Had we not been able to react as quickly the outcome could have been much different."