FIVE children and two adults have been rescued after a dinghy capsized during a mercy mission off the east coast of Scotland.

Coastguards were on the alert after the being a group of seven were in the water around one mile from Port Seton, East Lothian on Sunday.

The boat capsized after a group of five on board offered assistance to three paddle-boarders.

Coastguards say all had been "struggling" in choppy waters.

The Herald:

Source: Kinghorn volunteer RNLI

As North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team arrived those on the dinghy had taken 2 persons from the paddle boards to try and assist them to shore.

Bu then the dinghy was seen to capsize leaving all seven in the water.

A third paddle-boarder was discovered attempting to return to the harbour with three SUP boards, and was recovered by lifeboat crews.

The Kinghorn volunteer RNLI crew, who were called at 3.29pm, managed to take all eight people to safety where two ambulance teams checked them over.

The lifeboat then recovered the dinghy and three paddle-boards and brought them back to Port Seton.

A North Berwick Coastguard Rescue team spokesman said: "Thankfully none of the parties involved required any onward medical attention."

A Kinghorn RNLI Lifeboat spokeman added: "Our volunteer crew was tasked at 1529 following a 999 call to the Coastguard reporting a small sailing dinghy and paddle boards in difficulty one mile off Port Seton.

The Herald:

Source: North Berwick Coastguard Rescue Team

"There were two adults and five children on board.

"Whilst approaching the scene, it was advised that the dinghy had capsized, and seven occupants were in the water.

"We were soon alongside and pulled everyone to safety on board the lifeboat.

"An eighth person was making their way to Port Seton with three SUP boards but was making slow progress, so they were also recovered to the lifeboat."