Two yachtsmen have been found safe and well following the launch of an air-sea search which was scrambled to find them after they issued a distress signal.

The Hartlepool and Whitby all-weather lifeboats were launched after the Humber Coastguard received the signal from the yacht Time Out at around 4.30am today.

The boat was making its way to Holland and had left its moor at Hartlepool on Monday tea-time.

Despite efforts to raise the crew nothing was heard after from them following the initial may-day, which meant the coastguard was unable to pinpoint the position of the boat.

A search and rescue Sea King helicopter was also launched, but just before 9am the yacht was spotted by an oil vessel just near Flamborough Head.

A spokesman from Hartlepool Lifeboat Station, said: "We received a call early yesterday morning that a yacht bound for Holland was missing. "A RAF helicopter joined the search which took place between Hartlepool and Whitby.

"However, the yacht was found safe and well 35 miles off Flamborough Head."

Following the search the crew continued their voyage to Holland.