CONCERN over a missing kayaker sparked an extensive search at Sandbanks on Sunday night.

The alarm was raised around 6.50pm when the kayaker had failed to arrive at Cafe Shore to meet his group.

As the light was fading, the coastguard were called and Poole inshore lifeboat were tasked by Solent coastguard to search the area and locate the kayaker.

The lifeboat found him on the North Shore of Brownsea Island cold and disorientated.

The volunteer crew administered first aid and an ambulance was requested.

Once warmed, the casualty was taken to the Poole Coastguard patrol car to be checked over by an ambulance crew.

Volunteer helmsman James Kilburn said: “With failing light and conditions deteriorating, the family did the right thing to raise the alarm.

“We were fortunate to find the casualty quite swiftly and to get him ashore before the situation got worse.”