A turkey company boss went out on a lifeboat to rescue a stranded kayaker after an emergency call interrupted a turkey presentation.

Bernard Matthews chief executive Noel Bartram had been presenting the Caister Lifeboat crew with turkeys in a tradition that honours their good work when the call came at 10.46am this morning.

The crew raced out to Scroby Bank, off the Norfolk coast, with Mr Bartram on board to rescue the shivering kayaker.

And after they had brought him safely to shore they received 30 turkeys from Bernard Matthews - one for each lifeboat man's family.

Mr Bartram said: 'I went out with the crew on the mission and saw firsthand what stirling work they do - and all voluntary of course.

'This being an independent lifeboat station it relies on public support, and they deserve all the support that they can get.'

Mr Bartram also presented Caister Lifeboat with a cheque for �1,200, raised by turkey company staff sending electronic Christmas cards instead of posting physical ones.

Paul Williams, coxswain of Caister Lifeboat, said: 'Mr Bartram had just got over here when my phone went and it was the coastguard saying this guy was stuck on the bank in his kayak.

'We got to him and he was right in the middle.'

They rescued him, with Mr Bartram on board observing, and then resumed the turkey presentation.

Caister Lifeboat's volunteers say they are grateful for the donation from Bernard Matthews.