The fishing boat got into trouble five miles off Dover

The San Solar began taking on water five miles off the Kent coast just before 1300 BST.

The crew contacted the coastguard and the Dover lifeboat was sent to the San Solar's rescue.

But three other boats and a helicopter also went to the aid of the stricken vessel.

The fishing boat, 30 feet long and with four people on board, began letting in water after springing a leak, five miles south east of Dover.

While the Dover lifeboat headed to its rescue, the P&O cross-Channel ferry The Pride of Calais, a Royal Fleet Auxiliary freighter called The Sir Bedevere and The Second Thought, a motor cruiser, did likewise.

A helicopter from RAF Wattisham was also launched.

Coastguards said people on board the ferry helped to pinpoint where the fishing boat was but The Second Thought got there first and took the vessel under tow until the lifeboat arrived.

When the lifeboat reached the scene, two crew members got on board with pumps to pump water from the San Solar.

When enough water had been pumped from the boat to make it safe, it was towed back to Dover.

Coastguards said all four crew members were safe.