Lifeboat saves exhausted yachtsman

An exhausted yachtsman was rescued four miles out at sea as he made his way home from a sailing event.

Crews from Sunderland RNLI helped tow the yacht to safety at 11pm yesterday while its skipper rested with a cup of coffee.

The 49-year-old sailor, from Fulwell, had been returning from an event at Granton, near Edinburgh.