A drifting deep sea trawler has been towed 150 miles to safety after breaking down in a force eight gale off the Hebrides.

The French fishing boat MFV Julien Coleau, with eight crew onboard, was being buffeted by 45mph winds and a rolling swell when an engine failure left her without power around 20 miles west of Barra.

A sister vessel from the same fleet, MFV Jean-Claude Coulon II, successfully got a line across and took her under tow. With weather deteriorating and strong easterly winds hampering progress, the pair steamed at reduced speed towards Lochinver on the mainland.

The tow arrived in the port on Monday morning, more than 24 hours after the emergency began.

Both vessels belong to the Scapche fleet, the largest fishing boat owner in France. They work grounds in the Atlantic Ocean off the Hebrides. Catches are landed on the west coast and despatched by truck to French supermarkets.

A Stornoway Coastguard spokesperson said the vessel broke down west of Barra Head. As they approached harbour, Lochinver lifeboat launched to escort the trawlers into the port.