TWO people have been rescued by lifeboat crews after their kayak began to sink off Selsey Bill.

Crews from Selsey lifeboat station were launched after receiving an emergency Pan Pan call from a kayaker reporting that their vessel was taking on water on Tuesday.

The Inshore lifeboat launched at 3.51pm and reached the sinking watercraft one minute later.

When they arrived, they found the kayak, which had a sail, still being powered to the shore by the crew even with the stern down in the water.

The coastguard helicopter was also responded after hearing the distress call.

The inshore lifeboat came alongside the kayak and checked the welfare of the crew before assisting them to the beach.

Once the vessels reached the shore the lifeboat crew helped pull the craft further up the beach and bailing out the water.

The Argus: The Inshore lifeboat launched at 3.51pm and reached the sinking watercraft one minute later. The Inshore lifeboat launched at 3.51pm and reached the sinking watercraft one minute later.

Sharing images of the rescue on Facebook, an RNLI Selsey Lifeboat Station spokesman said: "The UK Coastguard received an emergency Pan Pan call from a kayaker reporting their vessel was taking on water, in a position half a mile east of the lifeboat station.

"The kayak had two persons on board.

"The Inshore lifeboat launched at 3.51pm on Tuesday 3 August and made best speed to the kayak arriving on scene at 3.52pm to find the kayak which had a sail, still being powered to the shore by the crew even with the stern down in the water.

"The coastguard helicopter, Rescue 163 also responded as they were in the area and heard the Pan Pan call.

"At 4.10pm the lifeboat returned to station and was recovered straight away."