LIFEBOAT crews are currently waiting for high tide off the Suffolk coast, hoping the rising water will re-float a trawler that ran aground on a sandbank.

The 24-metre French vessel got into difficulties at around 5.40pm.

The Lowestoft RNLI lifeboat crew were alerted and they have made contact with the crew, who are aboard the boat which is visible from the shore.

High tide is expected at around midnight, according to a spokesman for the lifeboat crew.

He said they are waiting to see if the boat will be lifted off the sandbank as the tide comes in.