Passengers on a cruise ship applauded when three fishermen were rescued from a life raft drifting off England's east coast, while the coastguard searches for two more.

The Pacific Princess turned around to rescue the men, whose boat sank about 25 miles north east of Great Yarmouth four hours prior, after spotting a distress flare in the North Sea.

Passenger Teena Dowd said the captain announced there was a life raft on the ship's starboard side at around 6.30pm, and that within the hour the three men had been helped onto the boat.

Ms Dowd, who is on the vessel with her daughter, said concerned passengers lined the deck and clapped as the shaken men were helped out of their lifeboat.

The Canadian, who lives near Toronto, said: "We were on the very top deck, and people were just sort of holding their breath, everybody was anxious.