In the first rescue of its kind, lifeboat crews found themselves towing a floating cinema which had broken down near Chiswick.

The RNLI team assisted the cinema boat, which was having engine problems, after having successfully travelled the canals and rivers from Brentford to Bristol and back holding various waterside screenings.

The boat was being moved to a different location along the river when it broke down on Tuesday (August 4), but there were no passengers on board apart from the vessel's skippers.

The Floating Cinema

Crew members reached the floating cinema boat and set up a tow line to bring the boat back to safety at Chiswick Pier.

Some repairs were made and a further investigation was carried out later that evening.

Last weekend, the floating cinema was holding shows at Brentford Lock and it is due to make its way down to Three Mills, in east London, for a three-day 'Extra Terrestrial' programme from August 21-23.

Mark Finnis, helmsman at Chiswick RNLI, said: "It’s not every day we get to tow a cinema, it must be a first for the RNLI.

"I’m sure they will make arrangements to reach their next location in time for the weekend’s shows."