The volunteer crew of the Lizard lifeboat spent a gruelling eight hours at sea last week after a fishing vessel suffered a second breakdown in recent weeks.

The crew set out in the relief Tamar class lifeboat shortly after 11pm on Monday, November 7, and did not return until 7am on the Tuesday morning.

They were called to help the 13m fishing vessel Celtic Dawn, from Mevagissey, which had called the coastguard to report engine failure for the second time in a month.

An RNLI spokesperson said: "The vessel was suffering from complete engine failure and was in a position 34 nautical miles south south east of Lizard Point with four persons on board.

"Sea conditions were described as moderate and upon arrival on scene a tow was passed from the lifeboat to the vessel and Celtic Dawn was safely towed into Flushing Quay, arriving at 6am. With much appreciation expressed from her skipper and crew."

The lifeboat returned to station at The Lizard and was ready for service shortly after 7am, with coxswain Andrew Putt and crew members Dan Atkinson, Johnny Bray, Steve and Nick Tattersall, Jacqui Dunmall and Mike Painton having spent eight hours at sea.

The crew had to use the relief lifeboat which is currently on station as the usual vessel, RNLB Rose, is undergoing essential routine maintenance at Poole and will be back on station at Kilcobben Cove in the coming weeks.