Captured Irish sailor David Bloomer is mentally strong and will be helping his fellow yachtsmen during their ordeal in Iran, a friend said today.

A Bahrain-based radio presenter believed to be from Malahide is among five sailors being held captive in Iran after their yacht was stopped by the Iranian navy as it sailed from Bahrain to Dubai.

Five British sailors were being detained in Iran today after their racing yacht was stopped by the Iranian navy, the Foreign Office said.