Police on Thursday rescued an eight-year-old girl whose inflatable boat had been carried out to sea.

The girl was paddling on the inflatable off a beach in Protaras, when winds carried the inflatable into deep waters.

On receiving the alert, police immediately dispatched a vessel to the area, tracking the girl in a matter of minutes. She was approximately one nautical mile off the coast when she was found.

The youngster was safely returned to her parents.