Lifeboat crews pumped three tonnes of water from a survey vessel taking on water in the Channel.

The crew from RNLI Dungeness launched at 2.15am on Wednesday to the boat five miles northeast of the station.

Two people were on board the 19m vessel on its route between Lowestoft and Shoreham.

The Dungeness crew met up with the Hastings lifeboat who were already assisting the boat.

Once on the scene Dungeness coxswain Stuart Adams, in command of The Morrell Shannon-class lifeboat, decided to escort the boat to the safe haven of Dover harbour due to difficult weather conditions.

Hastings lifeboat then stood down and returned to its station.

When the crew arrived in Dover a salvage pump was rigged up and taken on board the stricken survey vessel.

The crew removed about three tonnes of water until she was dry.

Coxswain Adams said: "The skipper of the casualty apologised for calling us all out at an unearthly hour but was extremely grateful for the RNLI’s assistance."

The Morrell and her crew returned to station and was ready for service again at 7am.