A yacht which suffered engine failure 20 miles off the north Norfolk coast was towed to safety by the Cromer lifeboat today (Wednesday).

The 35ft Verus Amica with four people on board was heading north from Walton-on-the-Naze in Essex when it ran into difficulties and was unable to make headway.

There were concerns about it drifting among boats working on the nearby offshore windfarm, so the Cromer lifeboat was launched at 8.30am and towed the stricken boat to Great Yarmouth for repairs, said a coastguard spokesman.