A RESCUE operation was sparked after a jet skier and water skier fell into the Solent.

Cowes RNLI lifeboat, a coastguard helicopter, a Southampton harbour launch and onshore coastguards at Hillhead were involved in the search at about 9pm on Monday.

An RNLI spokesman said the men both fell into the water but the driverless jetski carried on, before being captured by the Southampton habour launch.

He said: "Concern that the two men were unaccounted for then led to an air and sea search, which finally ended when both men managed to safely swim ashore at Hillhead.

"The men also got their runaway jet-ski back, when it was towed to the shore by the lifeboat."