More than 100 British holidaymakers were evacuated from a Dutch-owned river cruise ship, the Regina Rheni, this morning after it caught fire on the Rhine in Germany.

Ten people travelling with holiday firm Saga required treatment for smoke inhalation and one person suffered an asthma attack and was detained in hospital, but no other injuries were reported.

All 102 passengers had booked with Saga, but the ship is owned and operated by Rifjers River Cruises.

Fire engines and rescue boats were called after the fire alarm sounded at 3:15am.

The passengers, most of them elderly, were evacuated and taken to a hotel in nearby Dusseldorf, where most of them remain. Fire crews battled until 6.30am before extinguishing the blaze, which broke out in the engine room.

The passengers were offered the chance to return to the UK today, but choose to stay at the hotel in Germany. A spokesman for Saga said the passengers would be fully refunded.