A Moroccan trawlerman who got a fish hook caught in his eye has been released from a Cornish hospital.

The 26-year-old was airlifted from a Spanish vessel 180 miles off the Isles of Scilly early on Tuesday morning.

A Sea King helicopter from RNAS Culdrose spent seven hours battling against the weather to rescue the man.

He needed urgent medical attention and was airlifted to the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske.

Heavy seas

The rescue operation was co-ordinated by Falmouth Coastguards.

They received a call from the trawler, Peno de Vurela, just after 22.30 GMT on Monday.

Watch officers at the coastguard station said the fishing vessel was caught in heavy seas and winds gusting up to storm force 10.

A Nimrod aircraft from RAF Kinloss in Scotland went to the scene to provide support and communications for the crew of the Sea King from Culdrose.

The helicopter refuelled on the Isles of Scilly before heading for the trawler to carry out the rescue operation.