THE search for two missing fishermen has been suspended by the coastguard after a fishing boat sank off the Cornish coast.

A coastguard rescue helicopter, fixed-wing plane and RNLI lifeboats from Cornwall and Devon began searching for the vessel on Saturday (August 29) following a distress call at around 6pm.

The five-strong crew vessel was believed to be in trouble south-west of Eddystone Lighthouse, around 15 miles south of Plymouth.

During the search overnight, three people on onboard the French-registered boat were rescued and taken to hospital for medical attention.

One of those rescued was treated at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, while the other two were taken to Plymouth for further care.

The French Navy's Falcon 50 was also deployed to assist with the intensive search which continued for over 24 hours.

At 8.20pm on Sunday (August 30), the coastguard announced that the search has been "suspended pending further information," with two people still unaccounted for.