A passer-by called 999 after hearing shouts from the sea

The man, who has not been named, was found drifting 300m (980ft) from the shore near a holiday camp at Prestatyn.

The alarm was raised by a passer-by who heard shouts from the water at about 0200 BST on Friday.

Coastguards were alerted by a 999 call, and the rescue involved RNLI inshore and all-weather boats, coastguards, police helicopter and the fire service.

The emergency caller said he heard shouts coming from the water near Presthaven Sands holiday camp.

The alarm was raised and within 12 minutes the RNLI in-shore rescue board had started the search.

A larger all-weather boat was also deployed and the search also involved coastguards, the police helicopter and members of the fire service, who scoured the beach in case the person made in back on to land.

Eventually the rescue workers heard shouts and finally spotted a person floating in the water out to sea.

The rescuers said the man was barely conscious when they dragged him on board, but revived slightly after receiving emergency first aid.