Falmouth lifeboat volunteers have carried out a rescue this afternoon in near gale-force conditions – and have followed it up with a warning.

The relief Severn class lifeboat Volunteer Spirit was launched at 2.10pm after an emergency call came in from a German tanker.

Sitting six miles out from the harbour, one of the crewmembers onboard the 178-metre vessel Seaturbot was in need of medical help.

The RNLI crew arrived roughly 20 minutes later and helped the person from the tanker and took them aboard the lifeboat, returning to the station in Force 7 conditions – Force 8 being classed as gale-force – as Storm Ciara approaches.

Once back at the lifeboat station, the casualty was transferred ashore to be taken on for further medical treatment.

The RNLI has subsequently issued a warning ahead of the strong winds hitting tonight and tomorrow.

A charity spokesperson said: “In anticipation of Storm Ciara and the predicted rough weather in the coming days, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution is urging people to stay safe near the coast as severe weather could make our seas and coastlines particularly dangerous.”