The volunteer crew of the Bundoran lifeboat have rescued two surfers who were in difficulty off the Leitrim coast tonight.

A member of the public noticed the surfers struggling to make their way back to shore at Tullaghan in the county and the lifeboat was launched in challenging conditions.

When it arrived at the scene, the Sligo based Rescue helicopter, which was returning from another incident, had already lifted one of the surfers out of the water.

The other surfer was then lifted from the water by the lifeboat.

The helicopter landed and handed over the surfer they had lifted to RNLI shore crew.

Neither surfer needed medical assistance.

Brian Gillespie of Bundoran RNLI said: "The surfers had luck on their side with the helicopter passing and our boat being able to launch in such challenging conditions.

"The outcome was positive on this occasion and we are thankful we were able to get to the surfers on time.

"We would like to remind anyone who sees anyone in trouble on the coast to ring 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard."