LIFEBOAT crews assisted a yacht which was taking on water on the River Stour.

The Harwich RNLI inshore lifeboat was called to yacht Alceator after a 999 call to Thames Coastguard on Friday at 9.56pm.

The yacht, which had two people and two dogs onboard, discovered it was taking on water while on the stretch of river near Harwich.

A RHIB from the Customs vessel Seeker also stood by them.

The water was pumped out and the point of ingress was located and stemmed by the lifeboat, who then towed them into Shotley Marina.

Elsewhere, Walton’s Beach Patrol came to the aid of a young girl who had collapsed at Walton Pier on Friday around 3.44pm.

The patrol assisted Essex Ambulance and the girl was taken to hospital by ambulance.