The Ballyglass lifeboat crew had an unusual call out last night, following the discovery of a houseboat that had drifted across the Atlantic Ocean from Canada, and washed up on a beach in north Mayo.

The alarm was raised by a member of the public after the vessel washed ashore on Cross Beach near Belmullet.

There was no-one on board, and the vessel was later secured by the crew of Ballyglass Coast Guard.

It is believed the houseboat was built by Rick Small, who left a note inside donating the structure to a homeless youth.

Malin Coast Guard said it has been contact with colleagues in Halifax, who confirmed the boat had been docked over the summer.

There are reports the boat could have been docked in Newfoundland as late as September.

Mayo County Council is due to remove the vessel from the beach today.