A RESCUE operation was launched in the shadow of the stadium where Take That kicked-off their sell-out tour after after five fans trying to get close to the concert were spotted adrift a stricken boat.

As 54,000 packed the Stadium of Light, both of Sunderland's inshore lifeboats were launched on the River Wear after a 999 call reporting a pleasure boat was drifting without power onto mud banks next to the giant venue.

The RNLI said it was contacted after a member of the public called the coastguard just after 9.40pm last night.

The five Take That fans had decided to travel down river on their boat to get as close as possible to the stadium to listen to last night’s concert.

The three adults and two teenage girls on board managed to drop an anchor just a few metres from the mud bank.

The RNLI said the crew managed to get their engine started and were escorted back to their nearby moorings by the rescue craft.

Senior Helmsman at Sunderland RNLI Paul Nicholson said: "From the initial report it was unclear how many people were at risk on this boat so it was decided to send both RNLI inshore lifeboats to the scene."

He said: "Thankfully this boat was equipped with an anchor which the crew were able to use to stop themselves running aground on the large mud banks."

Mr Nicholson said the incident happened close to a bend in the river next to the Liebherr cranes factory, which is directly opposite the football stadium.

Were you one of the fans rescued by the RNLI? Contact the Echo newsdesk on 01325-505065 or at newsdesk@nne.co.uk