A man had to be airlifted to hospital after getting into difficulties while out on a yacht.

The RNLI received a call from the Scottish Ambulance Service at around 11.12am on Friday, requesting assistance in an operation to rescue a man who required medical attention just north of the River Irvine.

Troon lifeboat team, Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team and a search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick were all dispatched.

An air ambulance was able to lift the man from his vessel before the rescue teams arrived, however, and he was transferred him to University Hospital Crosshouse in Kilmarnock for treatment.

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said: "We received a call from the Scottish Ambulance Service at around 11.12am, requesting assistance for a person who required medical attention on a yacht on the Irvine Marina.

"The UK Coastguard sent the Ardrossan Coastguard rescue team, the Troon Lifeboat team and the UK Coastguard search and rescue helicopter based at Prestwick.

"The casualty was then transported to the University Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock."