The volunteers at Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI were tasked by the UK Coastguard to respond to an "ambiguous distress call" last night (Monday, 6 September).

The crew received the call at 8.15pm from people onboard an unidentified vessel, who said that they had broken down two miles outside of Burnham with no power.

Communication was then lost and could not be reestablished, despite the crew launching both Burnham lifeboats to find the stranded vessel.

A spokesperson for Burnham RNLI said: "Both lifeboats from Burnham-on-Crouch were launched, with the D class searching up river as far as Battlesbridge while the Atlantic class 'Tony & Robert Britt' searched down river as far as Inner Crouch buoy and then up the River Roach.

"Both lifeboats made contact with passing vessels and vessels at anchor but could not establish any sightings or further information."

The South Woodham Coastguard Rescue Team also carried out an unsuccessful shoreline search.

Eventually, all teams were stood down and the Burnham lifeboats arrived at their station at around 11pm.