A lifeboat was launched twice in less than 12 hours as people began to enjoy the warmer weather.

Littlehampton’s Atlantic 75 lifeboat Blue Peter 1 was launched to help a swimmer just before 4.30pm on Tuesday.

The boat reached the man within a few minutes and although he was not in immediate danger, he was only wearing trunks and was quickly becoming cold.

The crew took the man back to the beach, where he was cared for by the foreshore team.

The lifeboat was launched again that night at 10pm to assist a 40ft fishing boat which had run aground on the bar across the harbour entrance.

The crew pulled the vessel, which had two adults and two children aboard, into deeper water and then escorted it to moorings in the harbour.