Two people had to be rescued after a yacht got into difficulty on the Sussex coast.

The Argus understands the sailing yacht grounded off Seaford Head in the early hours of Friday morning and that two people in lifejackets were pulled from the water after the coastguard were called to the stranded boat.

The unidentified vessel grounded on rocks and debris could be seen washing up under the cliffs at Seaford Head.

Border Force officials alongside the Coastguard are still at the scene.

A coastguard spokesman said: "The alarm was raised at about 5.20am and Coastguard Rescue Teams from Birling Gap and Newhaven were sent.

"The two people on board have been accounted for, safe and well."

The Home Office said it is not carrying out an investigation into the incident and that HM Coastguard is leading.

A passerby described the scene.

“There was loads of emergency services," he said.

“It was a sea of yellow with about 15 coastguard team members and six border force officers. All dressed up in high vis and life jackets making their way to the scene.

“All you could see at first was a mast rocking in the water.

“Eventually the tide went out so there was lots of flotsam. It grounded ashore under the rocks. It was an amazing sight from above.

“It was a spectacular sight but so sad to see somebody’s pride and joy like that.

“Great to see the emergency services doing their job.

“We were worried someone had lost their life.

“It looked like an expensive yacht.”