Mechanical failure has been blamed for a cargo ship with nine people on board running aground off Happisburgh.

The Spanish vessel Muros was on course from Tees, UK, to Rochefort, France, when it ran into difficulty eight miles from shore in the early hours of Saturday morning, around 3am.

It is understood it became lodged on a sandbank in an area known as the Haisbro Sand - which has previously claimed countless vessels and lives - after it drifted out of the shipping lane.

The 89 metre vessel did not suffer any damage during the grounding and there was no reported oil leak following an inspection.

And it is hoped to refloat it at high tide on Sunday night with the support of a tug.

Speaking this afternoon, a Coastguard spokesperson said: 'It's still there, there is a tug with it currently. It has had an inspection and the current plan is to refloat it on tonight's high tide.'

Happisburgh Coastwatch volunteer Janet Easter added: 'It appears to be stuck.'

Just a few weeks ago, a 35ft yacht was destroyed after becoming grounded at Cart Gap, near Happisburgh.