TWO people had to be rescued after a fishing vessel sank off the north coast of Cornwall.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency reported that emergency services were called to the scene at The Rumps, near Polzeath at around 3.20pm on Sunday.

The MCA said the Polzeath Coastguard Rescue Team and a lifeboat from Padstow were sent to the scene after reports of a vessel striking the rocks and sinking.

This latest incident occurred close to the scene of the 1995 tragedy when the Maria Asumpta struck submerged rocks and sank - with the loss of three lives - on May 30.

The MCA said no reports of significant pollution had been received in relation to the boat and its salvage team was monitoring the incident.