TWO young children, their parents and a pair of pet dogs were rescued by lifeboat crews in "horrendous" weather on the Solent today.

Sailors battled torrential rain, winds to rush to the aid of the family of four off Gilkicker Point, Gosport, at 12.20pm.

The couple and their children aged seven and two got into trouble on the waterway when their 22ft yacht was a mile away from the mainland.

They sent a distress call to the UK Coastguard after suffering rigging damage and subsequent engine failure shortly before noon on their way from Bembridge on the Isle of Wight to the River Hamble.

Crews from the Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS) answered the distress call but were themselves delayed by jams traffic jams and flooded roads leading to the station.

They launched their lifeboat within 30 minutes and set off towards the stricken Hurley 22 yacht.

They arrived and towed to Haslar Marina in Gosport where the family of four were driven to the lifeboat station by road.

They were provided with warm showers, dry clothing and refreshments.

GAFIRS spokesman Mike Allen said: "The volunteer lifeboat crew’s response was hampered by horrendous weather conditions, responding crews faced flooded roads and delays caused by the torrential downpour, all of which was affecting the local roads leading to the lifeboat station."

He added that coxswain Brian Pack described the weather as “the most appalling conditions" with torrential rain being driven by gale force winds.