The stranded Portrush lifeboat was pulled off the rocks on Rathlin Island today.

A RNLI lifeboat driven on to rocks on an island off the North's coast during a rescue attempt in raging seas has suffered serious and extensive damage of its hull, it was confirmed today.

The Portrush RNLI all-weather lifeboat was left stranded on rocks at Rathlin Island off the North’s coast last night after attempting to rescue three people whose boat was perilously close to rocks.