A WINDSURFER was "lucky to be found" after he became detatched from his board off West Mersea on Sunday.

Thames Coastguard received a 999 call from a member of the public and several reports from yachts in the area of a man struggling in the water at 12.55pm.

The man was found by West Mersea Coastguard which directed the RAF Wattisham rescue helicopter to his rescue after being in the water for almost two hours.

FOR THE FULL STORY SEE MONDAY'S GAZETTE