Hamble lifeboat came to the rescue of two groups of people yesterday as wind and rain lashed the coast.

While on patrol at 2pm the lifeboat came across a 36ft yacht which had ran aground at the entrance to the River Hamble.

The yacht’s crew were then towed to safety after it was found their engine had not enough power to clear it.

Once free the craft continued on its way up the river. Shortly after this the lifeboat spotted a lone canoeist attempting to rescue a young novice sailboarder off Stanswood Bay that had got into difficulties and been overcome by the windy conditions.

They were found not to have enough strength to return to the shore and so were taken back to the beach, with their equipment aboard the lifeboat.