Blustery winds blew up problems along the Sussex coast and even stronger gusts are forecast for tomorrow.

Ferries from Newhaven to Dieppe were cancelled this morning because of rough seas and tonight's service will only be run if the winds drop.

Lifeboatmen battled against mountainous seas to rescue six people on a yacht which ran into trouble outside Brighton Marina last night.

The Filou, a 42ft yacht from Fecamp, France, was making its way towards the marina entrance when high winds forced it off course.

The seven tonne vessel ran aground just outside the entrance and became stranded. The lifeboat launched just after 8pm and went to its aid. One lifeboatman boarded the yacht and five members of the French crew were taken on to the rescue boat. It took 30 minutes to free the vessel and tow it to safety inside the marina.

Fire crews across Sussex were braced for trouble and a crew from Newhaven was called out just before 6am today when scaffolding on a building on the South Coast Road became unsafe.

Winds are likely to reach gale force along the coast tomorrow, accompanied by heavy rain.