Two kayakers attempted a late-night rescue after coming across a woman crying out for help in the River Hamble.

The woman had been out walking her dog yesterday evening when it ran after a deer which had also become stuck in the mud and rising tide.

The coastguard, Royal National Lifeboat Institute from Calshot and Hampshire Fire and Rescue were all called to the scene about 8pm last night.

Kayaker Craig Hollands was one of the kayakers who attempted to rescue the woman and contacted the coastguard.

Craig, 34, said he was on one of his Thursday outings when he came the woman.

Craig, from Hedge End, said: "I heard this cry of 'help' and looked over to see a flashing light.

"The woman was out walking her dog and was stuck in the mud. The tide was rising as well so our first call was to the coastguard if we couldn't help free her quickly.

"The water was freezing and so was the mud. The coastguard arrived first on scene about 15 minutes later. I freed the deer and put it in my boat but sadly it was very cold and covered in mud. We were there for about an hour." 

The RSPCA were also to the scene in an attempt to save the deer, but the coastguard confirmed that the animal passed away.