Suspected immigrants rescued from dinghy

Nine suspected illegal immigrants had to be rescued when they became stranded on a small power boat in the English Channel. Their rigid inflatable dinghy suffered engine failure about four miles east of Dover, Kent, with a force four wind blowing.

RNLI officials said those on board were "lucky" as they drifted in one of the world's busiest waterways.

Concerned people on passing vessels raised the alarm with the Coastguard after spotting the stricken boat at around 7.20am today.

Dover RNLI launched its six-crewed all-weather City of London II vessel and set up a tow with the dinghy before a Border Force vessel arrived.

An RNLI spokesman said the Border Force vessel then took over the tow and took the boat with its nine occupants on board to Dover lifeboat station at 10am.