A motor cruiser had to be towed to safety after getting into difficulties off the Sussex coast.

The Eastbourne RNLI lifeboat was called out to a mayday distress call on Saturday morning from the boat's four-man crew after their engine failed.

The 32ft boat was being swept westwards off Beachy Head and the strong winds and rough seas led to three of the four people on board suffering severe seasickness.

The conditions made it impossible for the captain to use his anchor to secure the boat so he called the Dover coastguard for help.

The lifeboat crew quickly reached the boat and deputy second coxswain Dan Guy was transferred on to the cruiser and rigged up a towline.

By this time the vessel had drifted to a position some three miles south of Beachy Head.

The boat was taken to Newhaven harbour where the ill crew members were treated by paramedics.