A lifeboat crew battled "truly biblical weather" to rescue a stranded paddleboarder and her dog in Cemaes Bay.

Anglesey was struck by a severe electrical storm when the RNLI at Moelfre was called out at around 8.35pm on Wednesday evening.

The all-weather lifeboat was launched in torrential rain with a big thunderstorm right overhead and all of the crew strapped inside for proection.

Local coastguards kept watch over the casualties who were suffering from the cold after becoming trapped at the base of the cliffs.

After arrival, a small daughter Y boat, designed for rescues near rocky areas and in shallow waters, was launched as a 'daughter craft'.

They found the paddleboard was paritally deflated and the dog had become anxious in the stormy weather.

The pair, described as cold, scared and shaken by the experience, were qucikly rescued and returned to the ALB, which made its way through the storm back to Moelfre.

With several lightning strikes hitting just a few hundred meters from the lifeboat, the crew decided to stay in the wheelhouse and remove their audio headsets as a precaution. The storm overhead was also causing heavy interference, making communication difficult.

The shore crew waited for the lifeboat's return and a break in the storm to get ready and recover the ALB in tough conditions.

Vince Jones, coxswain at RNLI Moelfre, said: "In 25 years of lifeboating, I’ve faced all kinds of weather, but last night was a first."

"What should have been a straightforward rescue became extremely challenging and dangerous due to a massive electrical thunderstorm over Anglesey and north Wales."

"The casualty and her dog were struggling, exposed to the storm that rolled in within minutes. Her paddleboard had partially deflated, leaving her trapped at the base of the cliffs."

"Torrential rain and wind squalls topping 25 knots battered the scene, with a severe weather warning issued just an hour before she got into trouble."

"The crew worked with great care in incredibly tough and dangerous conditions, and the shore crew back at the station, exposed and operating on our slipway, did the same. My heartfelt thanks go to each of them."