A lifeboat launched to assist a Dutch yacht after it got into difficulties.

The three-man crew of a yacht en route to Lowestoft from the Netherlands called for help when the vessel encountered an engine problem as it neared the port.

Lowestoft RNLI deputy second coxswain Nigel Lyman said: "We were called at 9.41am on September 10 (Tuesday) to give assistance to a yacht that had suffered engine failure and was drifting.

"Our volunteer crew soon launched our RNLI lifeboat 'Patsy Knight' and we located the 10-metre vessel about three miles offshore near the South Holm buoy off Lowestoft.

"The yachtsmen on board the vessel said that they had travelled from Ijmuiden and were nearing the UK when their engine developed a problem.

"It lost oil pressure but despite topping up the oil the engine wouldn't keep running.

"In calm conditions and with little wind we connected a tow line and brought the yacht safely into the yacht basin arriving just before 11am."