A ferry carrying trucks and trailers has run aground at Blackpool after getting into difficulties in high winds in the Irish Sea.

The Riverdance, a roll-on roll-off vessel, was struck by a freak wave some 10 nautical miles off the coast of Fleetwood, Lancashire.

A total of 14 people were airlifted to safety in a rescue operation which included the coastguard, the RAF and the RNLI.

The remaining nine people, all crew members, were with the ferry when it ran aground on the north shore of Blackpool beach, Mark Clark from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said.

Mr Clark said: "Our main concern now is any pollution or problems that could occur. It's going to be very difficult overnight to see that, but we will have people out."

"We do need to find out what kind of oils were on board," he added.

Three helicopters - two RAF and one from the coastguard - were scrambled to rescue passengers and crew, while the Irish Coast Guard also sent a helicopter as back-up.

A spokesman for Seatruck Ferries Limited, which operates the Riverdance, said the vessel was carrying trucks and trailers from Warrenpoint in Northern Ireland to the port of Heysham in Lancashire.

Tony Redding said the ship was struck by a freak wave as it crossed the Irish Sea, and developed a significant list. The master sent out a mayday, and as a precaution ordered all non-essential personnel to be taken off the ship, which was carrying 19 crew and four passengers.

The ship is a roll-on roll-off vessel, that carries cargo but is also allowed to take up to 12 passengers.

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