Two fishermen were rescued from their trawler off the Cumbrian coast on Monday morning when it began to take on water.

The News & Star reports that RNLI Workington responded to the fishermen's mayday call along with Maryport's coastguard and inshore rescue team.

Engline failure is being blamed for the incident, which occurred before 9.30am on Monday morning. The trawler has since been towed to Ireland for repairs.

Areas along Cumbria's coast could have greater protection under new plans for the conservation of marine habitats.

The Irish Sea Conservation Zones project is currently recommending areas to the UK government that could be designated for marine conservation.

BBC News reports that stretches of the Cumbrian coast around Allonby Bay and Whitehaven and Workington have been suggested for inclusion in the project, due to the abundance of wildlife they support.

For more on the project visit www.irishseaconservation.org.uk