A major rescue effort is underway at Strangford Lough, as the Coast Guard attempts to rescue around 100 people caught in the water at East Down Yacht Club after a number of boats overturned in bad weather.

At least 10 people have been injured in what has been declared “major incident”.

The Maritime and Coast Guard Agency say that “approximately 80 sailing dinghies were hit by stormy weather in Strangford Lough” just before 14:00.

The Bangor and Portaferry Coastguard Rescue Teams, the Portaferry and Newcastle RNLI lifeboats, the Irish Coast Guard helicopter along with the helicopter from RAF Valley have been sent to the scene.

A GP14 world championship event was being held on the sea lough at Killyleagh.