A boat had to be rescued after it was left drifting dangerously close to the main shipping channel in the Solent.

Volunteers with Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) launched just after lunchtime on March 21 after the 10-metre cabin cruiser suffered an engine failure.

Four people were on board the vessel when it suffered difficulties near to Horse Sand Fort.

Commenting on the rescue, the Gosport independent lifeboat coxswain Brian Pack said: “We soon located the stricken vessel, which was drifting near much larger craft and placed a crewman on board.

“He discovered that the vessel had suffered a fuel leak which had caused it to lose power so we quickly rigged a towline and pulled the vessel to safety.”

GAFIRS towed the boat to Gosport Marina where it was placed safely alongside with the help of Hillhead Mobile Coastguard team.