A FRENCH boat was rescued by coastguard crews after it became grounded in the Solent.

The 29ft Gavot II came to a halt after sailing into shingle and mud near the Newtown estuary on Saturday evening.

Cowes lifeboat was launched and arrived on the scene to find the yacht leaning at an acute angle.

But after going aboard with a tow-rope, the yacht was refloated.

It was being sailed by a couple and their two children and sailed on to port in Lymington.