A rescue operation was launched after a fishing boat developed steering issues near Dungeness.

The motorised vessel, which had two people on board, got into difficulties at around 1.40pm.

The RNLI’s Shannon class lifeboat The Morrell was scrambled and escorted the vessel to a safe haven in Dover Harbour.

Once it was safely berthed in the town the lifeboat returned to Dungeness was re-carriaged, re-fuelled and was ready for service again by 7.25pm.

Coxswain Stuart Adams, who was in command of The Morrell, said: “Even professional seafarers need our help sometimes.”