TWO people were rescued after their yacht capsized during races off Dartmouth on Sunday afternoon.

A 25-year-old woman and 51-year-old man from Exeter were recovered from the water by the Dartmouth Inshore Lifeboat crew.

Both were taken to Torbay Hospital suffering from hypothermia and shock.

The pair ended up in the water out towards the channel off Dartmouth Castle.

A spokesman for Brixham coastguards confirmed the 16ft yacht flipped over with two occupants ending up in the water.

"Both suffered mild hypothermia and shock and were taken to hospital for a check-up." he said.

One witness said the yacht capsized about two miles out to sea.

"I was told the yacht's centre plate dropped down so they could not right it," she said.

She added: "I know that two people were in the sea and were picked up."

The capsized yacht was towed back to Dartmouth by the harbour authority's boat.