CLACTON lifeboat was launched to help a sailing boat which was left stranded after its rudder broke.

The broken 20ft yacht had one person on board and was drifting through the water in strong winds with no control.

Lifeboat volunteers, joined by Clacton Coastguard Rescue team, managed to find the vessel on the Mersea Flats where it had run aground.

The crew attached a tow line and pulled the yacht to Brightlingsea harbour.

The rescue took place at about 9.15am on Sunday.