A large rescue operation involving lifeboats from two towns and the coastguard helicopter was launched last night to search for two paddleboarders on Cornwall's south coast - only for them to insist they "be allowed to continue."

A crew from Falmouth RNLI were among the volunteers called in after the alarm was raised about the pair, who were seen by a member of the public making little headway between Gorran Haven and Mevagissey.

The incident has prompted the coastguard to say they were "very surprised" anyone would attempt to cross St Austell Bay on paddle boards in those sea conditions.

A spokesperson for Fowey RNLI, which was also called out, said: "At 6pm on Friday, August 21, Fowey RNLI volunteer crew responded to a pager alert for two paddle boarders in distress near Chapel Point, between Gorran Haven and Mevagissey.

Video: Fowey RNLI

"The sea conditions were difficult, as Storm Ellen, which has been making landfall in the UK for the last two days, had created strong winds and very large swell.

"The paddle boarders had been seen making little headway, and so the all-weather lifeboat was launched to assist them."

The first paddle boarder was spotted by crew member Tim Stables in St Austell Bay, who told the crew that that he and the other paddle boarder had launched from Gorran Haven and had decided to paddle around to Fowey.

"He insisted that he was not in distress, and that he be allowed to continue to Fowey. The second paddle boarder, who was some distance behind, was then spotted by crew member James Dowrick after a brief search," said the RNLI spokesperson.

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Both paddle boarders were subsequently escorted to Fowey and left on Readymoney Beach in Fowey Harbour.

Lifeboat coxswain Jonathan Pritchard said: “All of our volunteer crew performed admirably in very difficult conditions. It was determined that in this case the casualties should be shadowed into Fowey as the sea conditions were very adverse.

"The RNLI strongly recommends that anyone at sea always wear a lifejacket, carry a means of calling for help and keep it within reach, and is aware of tides and weather forecasts.”

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Mevagissey Coastguard, which was also paged, said that team members went to high ground to look across the sea and help pinpoint the paddle boarders' location for the lifeboats from Fowey and Falmouth. The coastguard helicopter was also despatched.

A spokesperson said: "The Fowey lifeboat located two paddle boarders at sea off Gribben Head. They were not in difficulty but making their way from Gorran to Fowey. On paddle boards. At sea.

"The lifeboat monitored their safe progress into harbour. The member of the public did exactly the right thing, calling 999 for the Coastguard.

"Paddle boards are great fun used safely on rivers or near our beaches and coves. But we were very surprised someone would attempt to cross St Austell Bay on paddle boards. Especially with today’s inclement conditions."

Chief Superintendent Ian Drummond-Smith, police commander for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, spoke of the incident on Twitter yesterday evening, describing it as a "big rescue operation" and calling on people to respect the sea.