A pregnant woman and four small children were among seven passengers in a motor cruiser that became stranded in mud on the Isle of Wight

They were among seven passengers on a small motor-cruiser, the Lady Matilda, which became stranded in the River Medina on the Isle of Wight.

Cowes lifeboat came to their aid and began an hour-long battle to refloat the cruiser after it was considered too dangerous to get the people across the mud bank.

With the help of a tow-rope attached to the lifeboat, the cruiser was dragged into deeper water and then towed to Folly pontoon.

The cruiser had no radio so the crew had to notify Solent Coastguard via mobile phone, while none of the passengers had lifejackets.