The RNLI Troon Lifeboat service was called out to assist a person who found themselves drifting out to sea on an inflatable earlier this week.

Around 8.30pm on Monday, July 19, a balmy evening, the volunteer team set off from their base to rescue the drifter.

However, they were called off soon after, with the Belfast Coastguard informing them their assistance was no longer needed.

When they returned to their base they received another call asking them to help with an incident in Ayr around 10pm. This, again, proved to be a false alarm, with the crew being told to stand down once more.

A spokesperson from the RNLI Troon Lifeboat service said: "At 8.31pm on Monday 19 July 2021, Troon RNLI inshore lifeboat was requested to launch following multiple reports to the Coastguard about a person and inflatable drifting out to sea at Irvine.

"The volunteer crew assembled but as the inshore lifeboat was being the launched, the launch was cancelled by Belfast Coastguard as the lifeboats assistance was no longer required.

"The lifeboat crew returned home but at 9.57pm, the crew pagers were once again activated after a request from Police to assist with an incident at Ayr.

"Both the D class inshore lifeboat ‘Sheena’ and Trent class all-weather ‘RNLB Jim Moffat’ launched to assist but on route were stood down by the Coastguard.

"Both lifeboats returned to station and were made ‘ready for service’ with the assistance of the shore crew.

"If there is an emergency along the coast, or if you spot someone that could be in difficulty at sea, always dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard."