SUFFOLK: Coastguards carried out a number of rescues off the East Anglian coast on Sunday.

At 12.01am the Clacton RNLI Lifeboat carried out a search of the river Colne for an 18ft sailing yacht which had not returned to port.

The vessel, Spirit 2, which had two people on board, was located safe and well at Rowhedge.

At 12.44pm the yacht Indaba requested assistance after experiencing engine failure at the entrance to the Walton Backwaters.

The Felixstowe Volunteer Coast Patrol boat was in the vicinity and was able to tow the casualty vessel to Titchmarsh Marina.

At 1.13 pm the Aldeburgh RNLI Inshore Lifeboat and Shingle Street and Aldeburgh Coastguards were called following a report of an unoccupied dinghy.

The dinghy was adrift off Havergate Island in the River Ore and there were no signs of recent occupation.

Crews were able to locate the owner who confirmed nothing untoward had happened and the units were stood down. The incident was considered a false alarm with good intent.

At 3.08pm the Felixstowe Volunteer Coast Patrol boat was called to assist a motor boat which had broken down.

The 16ft vessel, Split Decision, which had five people on board, had broken down at the entrance to the Walton Backwaters.

The patrol boat escorted the stricken vessel to Levington Marina off the River Orwell.

Two young girls who had got stuck in mud at Bell Wharf, Leigh-on-Sea, had to be rescued at 5.05pm

Thames Coastguard received a call from Essex Fire and Rescue informing them of the situation.

Southend Coastguard was asked to proceed to the incident and offer assistance. A call was also received from Essex Police.

On arrival, crews found that the casualties had been pulled out from the mud and were being treated by the Essex Ambulance Service.