Dover Lifeboat came to the rescue after a report that a fishing boat was struggling at sea on Sunday.

The Folkestone-based fishing vessel, named Danny Boy was loose in the Channel between Folkestone and Dover.

When crews arrived, it appeared that it was making its own way after it had undergone emergency repairs to its exterior.

The boat was recovered and lifted onto the shore by Dover Harbour Board.

On Christmas Eve, a crew member on P&O’s Spirit of Britain spotted a liferaft adrift approximately 10 miles from Dover.

Despite rough sea conditions, Dover Lifeboat manned the City of London II boat and took to the Channel to recover the liferaft.

The reason why the liferaft was floating adrift remains a mystery. Dover Lifeboat operations manager Roy Couzens,said: “It was in the south westerly boat lane, and it was exposed to the elements.

“All we know was that it was an Italian make.”