Rod MacDonald rescued a swimmer off Fistral Beach

A lifeguard from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in Cornwall is to receive an award for bravery.

Rod MacDonald risked his own life when he went to rescue a man who was being swept out to sea off Newquay.

Mr McDonald will be awarded a bronze medal for his bravery.

His supervisors say his swift actions saved the man's life.

Poor condition

The rescue happened last October.

Mr MacDonald was off-duty when a member of the public spotted a swimmer in difficulty off Fistral Beach.

Without the aid of rescue equipment, Mr MacDonald swam out to the man, bringing him back to shore with the aid of two bystanders.

The swimmer was in a poor condition, suffering from a cut to the head and shock, and was taken to hospital for treatement.