A LANCASHIRE yachtsman has been rescued after his yacht caught fire in the Irish Sea.

Lifeboats from Barrow and Fleetwood, a rescue helicopter, an oil rig standby vessel and Seacat ferry were involved in the rescue operation at 8.20pm.

The man had to use his emergency dinghy because he could not reach his life raft due to the engine fire.

He was taken to Furness General Hospital by helicopter after breathing in smoke.