Girvan Lifeboat's volunteer crew raced to help a kayaker in distress near Lendalfoot on Saturday. 

Just moments after arriving back in Girvan, with the crew returning from Stranraer RNLI's anniversary celebrations, crew pagers sounded just after 8.30pm for immediate launch.

Emergency calls were received in response to a kayaker in difficulty and shouting for help near Pebbles Spa in the Lendalfoot area.

The RNLI's all-weather Shannon Class Lifeboat 'Elizabeth and Gertrude Allan' made best speed south and were soon on scene.

With the kayaker in the water and with further information received that they may be suffering a medical episode, a crew member entered the water alongside the kayaker to support them and help get them onto the lifeboat.

Other crew recovered the kayak, and once aboard the casualty was assessed and immediate casualty care provided en-route back to Girvan.

On arrival in Girvan, the casualty was handed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service for further treatment and assessment.

Girvan Lifeboat operations manager John Gourlay said: "Thankfully our crew were already on station and were able to launch immediately to what turned out to be a time critical incident. 

"This saved valuable minutes in this case and allowed us to achieve the best possible outcome for the casualty.

"If you believe someone to be in trouble at sea or along our coast, please don't hesitate or think someone else has called already, dialled 999 straight away and ask for the coastguard."