A five-hour long effort from lifeboat and coastguard teams saw the rescue of a sinking fishing boat Saturday night.

At about 9pm, teams were called out to a report of a vessel submerging off Folkestone Harbour. Two people were believed to be on board.

A boat nearby assisted and a salvage pump was transferred from a lifeboat onto the casualty vessel to prevent it sinking further as it was towed into the harbour.

A spokesman for Folkestone coastguard said: "As it was low tide the vessel was brought to the harbour entrance where it was stabilised and then slowly manoeuvred in by hand by the coastguard rescue officers with the incoming tide until Littlestone lifeboat was able to enter and guide it to the slipway in the outer harbour to be loaded onto a trailer.

"The teams then returned to their stations to wash down all the kit and head home to bed around 2.30am."

Folkestone and Dungeness coastguards, Littlestone and Dover lifeboat stations and a rescue helicopter were involved in the rescue.

A post on Littlestone lifeboat station's Facebook said: "Long job last night involving our volunteer crews being up most of the night.

"A positive outcome was attained with all persons involved with the fishing boat that was taking on water being returned to safety at Folkestone along with their vessel.

"Extremely low tides made the operation extra difficult.

"Thanks also go out to the volunteer crew of Dover Lifeboat and the Coastguard rescue teams.

"The search and rescue helicopter from Lydd also attended.

"The lifeboat returned to station in the early hours and is now along with its volunteer crew ready for service."