Barrow RNLI was called out to help a yacht in distress near Haverigg.

The volunteer crew were called by the Coastguard at around 3.50pm with a request to go to the aid of a 40ft yacht on its way to Fleetwood, which had got into difficulty six miles west of Haverigg.

All-weather lifeboat Grace Dixon was launched at 4.15pm under the command of coxswain, Shaun Charnley and five crew.

The lifeboat reached the scene at 5pm and took over from the windfarm crew transfer vessel Rix Panther, which had also gone to assist.

The crew of two on the yacht had to cut their anchor free in order continue their passage and, as a precaution, the lifeboat escorted them for the remainder of their voyage.

Both vessels arrived at Fleetwood at around 8.25pm and with the yacht safe, the lifeboat proceeded back to Barrow where it arrived at 9.10pm.

The Grace Dixon was rehoused by the waiting shore crew and made ready for the next callout.