A yacht became stranded three miles out at sea after a rope got caught around its propeller.

Cromer Lifeboat Station first launched its in-shore lifeboat 'George and Muriel' at around 9am Tuesday morning to help, but after the boat reached the 24-foot yacht, they realised a larger vessel would be needed to tow it to safety.

So the RNLI station then launched its relief all-weather lifeboat, the Peter and Lesley-Jane Nicholson, which towed the yacht, called Seahorse, 19 miles to the Port of Wells.

The yacht was left at anchor to await the harbour boat to tow in when tide was high enough.

There were two people aboard the vessel, which had also suffered engine problems.

Although the rescue was made in sunny conditions and the sea was calm, there was a Force 1-2 wind coming in from the west.