A SWIMMER was taken to hospital after getting into difficulties off the Hampshire coast.

Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) was alerted after the 20-year-old bather was seen struggling to reavh the shore.

Members of the public dialled 999 after seeing him in the sea off Lee-on-the-Solent.

A GAFIRS spokesman said: "The coastguards tasked the Gosport Lifeboat to attend. It was conducting an exercise in Portsmouth Harbour at the time and proceeded at speed to the location, arriving on scene in less than ten minutes.

"When the lifeboat arrived the male was found to have made his way back to shore.

"The crew assessed the casualty who had inhaled seawater and was also suffering from exhaustion and shock.

"Paramedics, community first responders and Hill Head Coastguard Rescue Team also attended. The casualty was transferred to hospital for further check-ups."