A man found "frozen" to the mooring chain of a houseboat in Battersea was pulled to safety by the RNLI.

A lifeboat from Chiswick RNLI was called to the River Thames, near St Mary’s Church, Battersea Church Road, at 12.17am on Tuesday after police and paramedics were unable to reach the man.

The police helicopter was also sent to the scene and the helicopter’s searchlight helped the lifeboat crew to find the man in his 30s.

Gary Tiller, RNLI helmsman, said: "He had clearly been in the water sometime as he was very cold with his arms and legs locked around the chain as if he was frozen to it. As a result it was quite tricky getting him into the lifeboat.

"Although the emergency services were present on the shore they were unable to reach the casualty. His position meant he could only be rescued by boat. The whole crew is very pleased we were able to save this man."

The man was then taken to dry land and was handed over to London Ambulance Service (LAS).

An LAS spokeswoman said: "We sent an ambulance crew and a duty officers to the scene to treat a man reported to be in his 30s for hypothermia. He was taken to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital as a priority."