Divers who were stranded after a support rib was blown off course in adverse weather had to be rescued by Largs lifeboat volunteers.

The alarm was raised by the local coastguard at 12.24 as the lifeboat launched in strong winds after reports that the RIB inflatable was being blown towards Largs.

RNLI spokesman Alasdair Woods explained: "Five divers had been diving at Clashfarland Point near Great Cumbrae Island while a sixth one was left on board the RIB which began drifting towards Largs.

"The lifeboat soon located the RIB which by this time was discovered on the inside of the Hunterston Ore Terminal Jetty, the RIB with the one person was taken in tow to Largs Yacht Haven.

"Having safely secured the RIB the lifeboat left Largs Yacht Haven and returned to Cumbrae where they uplifted the five divers who were stranded on a rock and conveyed them to the nearby watersports centre on the island."

The lifeboat crew returned to station at 2.30pm where the lifeboat R A WILSON was made ready for her next service.