A LIFEBOAT was scrambled to brave 70mph winds and help three men and two dogs who were stranded in their vessel near the Solent.

Lymington RNLI launched their first rescue of the year at about 6.30pm last night and had a wet ride to the entrance of Keyhaven Marshes, near Milford-on-Sea.

Eventually the crew discovered a boat occupied by three men with no jackets, flares or radio.

An RNLI spokesman said: “After a short search the RNLI crew found a small tender aground on the marsh edge and put a crewman into the water to wade to its location.

“Onboard he found three adults and two dogs. The three local men had been wildfowling and whilst equipped for their pastime had no lifejackets, no flares and no VHF radio having made the Solent coastguard aware of their predicament by phone.

“Despite the ebbing tide, Lymington RNLI lifeboat entered the creek, positioning as close as practical to the stranded men, allowing their RNLI crewmate to guide the casualties and their dogs to the lifeboat.

“They were so lucky to have a mobile phone signal - it could easily have been a very different shout and outcome.”

The men and dogs were taken back to Keyhaven Harbour and put into the care of ambulance staff.