A windsurfer was taken to hospital with cuts to his chest after a gust of wind dragged him off his board off Worthing seafront.

The accident happened at 1pm yesterday.

A Sussex Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "The windsurfer didn't suffer any serious injuries but did have some cuts to his chest. He was taken to Worthing Hospital as a precaution."

Solent Coastguard's operations room reported its busiest day of the year yesterday after it responded to 31 separate search and rescue incidents.

Colin Griffiths, watch manager, said: "It was an incredibly busy day.

"We experienced a full range of incidents, fortunately none of them being too serious although many had the potential to be so.

"The weather surprised many of us with the unexpected high winds which got up to 40 knots."