The Cromer all weather lifeboat Lester towed a stricken yacht to safety on Sunday after an accident at sea which saw the vessel lose its rudder.Coastguards said the two crew of the 22ft yacht Tomahawk sent a distress call after hearing a loud bang in the night and realising their rudder had sheared off.

The Cromer lifeboat crews had a busy weekend, carrying out three rescues in the space of less than a day.

As well as towing a stricken 22ft yacht to the safety of Yarmouth harbour on Sunday after an accident which saw the vessel lose its rudder about 28 miles out to sea, the all weather lifeboat Lester helped a jetski.

Shortly after entering Yarmouth harbour, the crew were asked to help the broken down jetski and launched their smaller onboard inflatable 'Y' boat with two crew on board.

The jetski and its rider were towed to safety.

The lifeboat then returned to Cromer and was refuelled and made ready for service by around 7pm.

To round off the day the town's second, inshore lifeboat was called out at about 7.15pm to reports of a swimmer in difficulties off East Runton. When they got to the scene the swimmer was safely ashore being interviewed by the police and local coastguards, said a lifeboat spokesman.