A major sea, land and air search was launched on Tuesday for a missing sailor.

The alarm was raised at 11.57 am when Milford Haven Coastguard operations room received a 999 call reporting that a 40-year-old male on a 'Moth' dinghy had not returned to shore at Saundersfoot bay from a morning sail race out of Saundersfoot Sailing Club.

Immediately, the search was instigated involving Tenby, Manorbier and Llansteffan Coast Rescue Teams, Pembs. Sector manager and Tenby RNLI all-weather and inshore lifeboats and RAF rescue helicopter 169 from Chivenor, North Devon, who were tasked to carry out a search for the stricken vessel and its occupant. Rescue boats from Saundersfoot Sailing Club also took part.

The casualty was located clinging to his upturned dinghy some three miles off Pendine sands, near Ginst Point.

He was safe and well, and did not require any medical attention.

Both he and his vessel were taken aboard the all-weather lifeboat and landed ashore at Saundersfoot harbour.

The casualty was from Stourbridge, West Midlands.