A rescue team was called to help two vessels in distress following a mayday call.

Workington RNLI was called by Belfast Coastguard at about 6.35pm last night.

A yacht, which had four adults and two children on board, was on its way to Kirkcudbright.

It had experienced engine failure and two adults on board had got into a rigid inflatable boat and started to tow the yacht.

They had to drop anchor about three miles off the coast of Whitehaven.

Initially a Mareel Sepia boat, which services the Robin Rigg wind farm responded to the mayday call and made its way to the location but was stood down when Workington Lifeboat's ALB Dorothy May White and colleagues at St Bees RNLI were en route.

Whitehaven Coastguard Rescue Team and Maryport Coastguard Rescue Team took up vantage points to get visuals on the vessels.

Both RNLI boats put a member of their crew on the boat to assess casualties.

One casualty was given minor first aid.

Workington RNLI towed one vessel and St Bees escorted the other vessel into Whitehaven harbour.