A yacht found abandoned in the North Sea was today being escorted into port by the Royal Navy.

Yachtsman Peter Bloomer, 51, is missing at sea after his boat was found drifting 130 miles offshore.

Mr Bloomer, from Felixstowe, Suffolk, set sail from Neptune Marine in Ipswich on April 17.

His yacht, Tropical Spirit, was found by a fishery protection vessel 130 miles north-east of the River Tyne at 4pm yesterday.

Lifeboat crews from Harwich and Burnham were involved in the search for the yachtsman, who has now been missing for ten days.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said the yacht was being escorted into port on the River Tyne by the Royal Navy, and was expected to arrive around mid-afternoon today.

The spokesman said: "Because of the length of time Mr Bloomer has been missing, and the circumstances in which the yacht was found, there is obvious concern for his welfare."

"Police inquiries are continuing in conjunction with Suffolk police. Until the yacht is brought back to shore and officers can study any evidence on board, we will not be drawing any conclusions."

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