More than 80 sailors had to be rescued when a freak storm on Saturday afternoon capsized their crafts. The yachtsmen were racing along the Hunstanton coast during North West Norfolk Sailing Week when a large squall and big waves – reported to be 2m(6ft) high – suddenly hit. All 82 competitors were thrown into the water at once.

Stuart Moore, commander of the Hunstanton Sailing Club, said: ‘In the second race there had been no wind at all, then suddenly there was this mini tornado.. It just tipped the boats over like a deck of cards.’

Fortunately no-one was injured, and everyone was pulled to safety by coastguard, lifeboat and safety boats in a rescue operation that took over an hour.