Ferries have been cancelled out of Dover amid gale-force winds that led to a yacht being rescued.

DFDS Seaways is not running services to Calais because of gusts of up to 60mph.

Passengers are being transfered to the firm's Dunkirk route, which is not affected by the weather.

It comes after the Ramsgate RNLI lifeboat crew rescued a stranded yacht this morning.

The 59ft German vessel got into difficulties in rough seas 12 miles off Ramsgate at about 7.30am.

The yacht, which had four people on board, was towed to Dover.

Dover Coastguard said there are force 10 winds in the Channel.

P&O said its Dover to Calais services is not affected.

TransEuropa Ferries is also experiencing delays of up to an hour this afternoon on services between Ramsgate and Ostende because of the high winds.