RESCUERS had to save a man who got into difficulties while trying to swim across the Solent early today.

He had been trying to make his way from the Southsea Pier, where it is understood that he had been at a party, to the Isle of Wight.

A Solent Coastguard spokesman said that they received a call at about 1.50am that a person was in trouble in the water.

Portsmouth Lifeboat was sent to the scene and the man, who is believed to be in the water for about 25 minutes, was to safety.

He was taken to an ambulance which had been waiting nearby. He then went to hospital for a check up.