Lifeboat crews braved a force nine storm to rescue a yachtsman off Sussex early today.

The Newhaven and Shoreham lifeboats were launched just after midnight after reports of flares being fired.

The lifeboats and a coastguard helicopter searched up to ten miles out to sea between Rottingdean and Portslade.

They located the 40ft Carmen Sylva which was taking in water and had suffered engine failure.

Romanian Dimitri Constantine, 76, from Hampshire, had been sailing alone from France to Portsmouth.

The Newhaven lifeboat towed the yacht into Shoreham Harbour.