Players from two UK sailing clubs held a cricket match in atrocious conditions in middle of the Isle of Wight with some spectators having to be rescued at sea.

Island Sailing Club, Cowes, and the Royal Southern Yacht Club, Hamble, took to Bramble Bank sand bank at low tide for their annual game of cricket. Less sand was exposed than in previous years due to strong winds on the day.

"It was wet and windy. You could feel the water sucking at your ankles," John Hounslow, Island Sailing Club captain, said.

"We only had a shallow area to play in."

About 50 boats surrounded the sand bank to watch the match but eight people and a dog on board one boat had to be assisted to shore after their engine overheated.

The Bramble Bank cricket match is believed to have first been held in the early 1950s between Island Sailing Club and a team from a hotel in Cowes. Royal Southern became involved in the early 1970s.

The teams traditionally take turns in winning the match with Island Sailing Club taking the title this year.