WATCH: Prestwick rescue crew pull stranded surfer from sea after 32 hours

A surfer who survived more than 30 hours stranded at sea on his board has been described as "extremely lucky''.

Matthew Bryce, 22, was reported missing by family when he failed to return from a surfing trip off the Argyll coast of Scotland on Sunday afternoon.

He had last been seen at around 9am on Sunday in the St Catherines area, believed to be heading to Westport Beach near Campbeltown.

Police Scotland and the coastguard launched a large-scale search, with rescue teams from Campbeltown, Southend, Gigha, Tarbert and Port Ellen involved.

The 22-year-old was eventually found by a search and rescue helicopter at around 7.30pm on Monday, drifting 13 miles from the Argyll coast.

Watch the moment he was pulled to safety here:

Mr Bryce, from Glasgow, was taken to Belfast Hospital for treatment for hypothermia.

The coastguard believe his knowledge and wetsuit saved his life.

Conditions in the Irish Sea were also "fairly benign'' throughout Monday.

Dawn Petrie, from the Belfast coastguard operations centre, said: "He'd been in the water for some 30 hours when the helicopter was delighted to spot him.

Mr Bryce says, “I am so grateful that I am now receiving treatment in hospital. I cannot thank those enough who rescued and cared for me, they are all heroes. For now, I am not facilitating any interviews as I am exhausted. Please respect the privacy of myself and my family at this time as I recover”.