Walmer Lifeboat has been in action to help the crew of a pleasure boat with engine problems, for the second time in two weeks.

The distress call from the 22ft vessel Beat 4 Quarters was made to coastguards who were told the craft with two people on board was in trouble off Kingsdown.

A crew of the Atlantic 85 from the Walmer RNLI station was called and one member went on board the stricken boat to help restart the engine.

RNLI volunteer lifeboat press officer Andy Roberts said: "This was successful but owing to the fact that engine unreliability was the key factor in the distress it was decided that the lifeboat would escort the vessel back to its berth in Dover marina.

"This was the second time recently that the same boat had required RNLI assistance, with Dover Lifeboat having towed it back to its berth just a fortnight ago.

"The owners were given safety advice and it was suggested that the engine have a full service and any possible contamination of the fuel be checked."

* The RNLI at Walmer operates two classes of inshore lifeboats, a D class Duggie Rodbard and an Atlantic 85 Donald McLauchlan. To learn more about the lifeboat station go towww.rnli.org.uk/walmer or www.walmer-lifeboat.org.uk