Dover RNLI lifeboat was called out in the early hours of this morning to help a large German sailing vessel.

The Norda was en-route from Cuxhaven to Cherbourg with six people on board when they suffered engine failure - six miles east of the Port of Dover.

The Coastguard paged the lifeboat crew and Dover's Severn class lifeboat, City of London II left at 4.15am with a crew of seven.

Second Coxswain James Clapham led the crew.

He said: "This was a routine call for us and something that we train for all the time.

"It is thanks to the people of Dover who support their lifeboat that it is possible for us to be ready to help anyone out when they need it 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

The lifeboat took the 20 metre Norda in tow back to the port, arriving at 6am.