Cromer inshore lifeboat was launched on Sunday evening, after a lone moonlight swimmer was seen in the water a mile away from the shore.

Station press officer Audrey Smith said the man had been spotted at around 6.20pm by a walker, who, concerned the swimmer was in trouble, called the Coastguard.

'Although it turned out that we weren't needed, we would much rather be called out than not, just in case there is a serious incident,' Ms Smith said.

The lifeboat and crew were stood down ten minutes after launching, when police arrived and spoke to the swimmer.

'It turned out to be a gentleman who regularly swims in the evening,' Ms Smith explained. 'The police warned the person concerned about the dangers of going into the water at this time of year when it is dark, which is obviously just silly.'