An ill-equipped yacht damaged in strong winds had to be rescued by lifeboat crews.

The 21ft boat which had its sails blown out in force six winds a mile off Dungeness was towed to harbour.

The yacht had two people on board and was left stricken in a two-metre swell without any fuel.

Dungeness lifeboat was launched at 4pm yesterday and sent out to assess the situation.

One of The Morrell's crew members was put on board the yacht - which was travelling between Yarmouth and Plymouth - and set up a tow line.

Coxswain Stuart Adams decided to transfer one of the casualties and kept one on board the yacht to enable a safe tow to Eastbourne.

As the lifeboat approached Hastings, the town's lifeboat launched and met with the Dungeness boat to take over.

Coxswain Adams said: "This vessel was not equipped for the weather conditions. Any vessel putting to sea should have the appropriate lifesaving equipment aboard and get an updated weather forecast before leaving."

The Morrell returned to Dungeness and was ready for service by 8.30pm.