A fishing boat that had started taking on water in the sea off Sidmouth has been escorted back to shore by Exmouth lifeboat.

Exmouth RNLI were called out after the crew of the trawler reported the problem to HM Coastguard, at about 3.30pm yesterday afternoon (Friday,January 15).

The inshore lifeboat R&J Welburn made its way to the scene, six miles due south of Sidmouth, crewed by coxswain Steve Hockings-Thompson with volunteers Harry Griffin, James Edge, Roger Moore and Roy Stott.

Arriving shortly after 4pm, they found that the crew had temporarily resolved the issue, and they escorted the fishing boat back to harbour in Brixham, arriving at 5.23pm.

After making sure the trawler and crew were all safe, the lifeboat crew returned to Exmouth, arriving at 5.48pm.

Steve Hockings-Thompson said: "The crew on the trawler made the correct decision in requesting assistance as soon as they discovered the problem.

"We were on scene with the casualty vessel very quickly, and myself and my volunteer crew were pleased to assist the boat safely back to port."