Nine British sailing enthusiasts were saved by Thai fishermen after their rented yacht caught fire when it was hit by lightning.

The four couples and a woman were on the 50ft catamaran in Phang Nga Bay, off the coast of Phuket, when they were caught in a tropical storm.

As high winds rocked the chartered vessel at around 4.30pm on Saturday, those on board took cover below deck. But half an hour later, lightning struck and the yacht started to burn.

Luckily for the architects, lawyers and accountants on board, Thai fishermen were on hand to haul them ashore as the burning catamaran sank.

The tourists were named by The Times as William, 65, and Lilias Tennant, 68; Catherine, 64, and Stewart Toy, 66; Kelvin, 65, and Susan Atkinson, 64; Anne, 63, and Martin Anderson, 59; and Magret Hamilton, 64.