A man who was body boarding off the coast of Donegal has been rescued by the RNLI.

The volunteer crew of the Bundoran lifeboat were called out just before 7pm last night.

Shortly before 7:15pm they arrived on scene at Rossnowlagh where the body boarder, aged in his 50s, had made it to shore.

Two of the lifeboat crew went ashore to examine the man.

The rescue helicopter arrived from Sligo and airlifted the man to Sligo Regional Hospital.

Speaking on their return to the lifeboat station, Bundoran RNLI volunteer helm Elliot Kearns said: "This evening's incident is an example of how unforgiving the sea can be even on a moderately calm evening."

"We're thankful that the gentleman made it to shore and was checked out by the paramedics," he added.