A POOLE electrician set out to take photos of the magnificent Jurassic Coast and got far more than he bargained for.

Paul Kerrison returned from his boat trip on Sunday afternoon with a set of pictures of pods of dolphins feeding and playing near Old Harry Rocks.

See all of Paul's pictures in our gallery

“It made my day - infact it made my year,” said Paul, who estimated there were about 20 of the marine creatures in two or three groups.

He went out with skipper Dave Henderson on a charter boat and as they went past the rocky outcrop into Swanage Bay, came upon moored boats. “Dave the skipper saw fins so we stopped there,” said Paul.

The playful creatures seemed to be working together to herd a school of fish towards a ridge, where they could more easily pick them off.

“I couldn't believe it,” said Paul. “It was fantastic.

He said they watched the bottlenose dolphins leaping and playing for quite some time and then went on along the coast to Durdle Door and towards Weymouth to take the photos he wanted.

When they returned a few hours later, the dolphins were still there, lazing about after consuming their mackerel meal. And he believes there were youngsters in the pods.

“Someone recommended me to go on this trip,” said Paul. “When I went out I had no idea I was going to get to see dolphins.”

Pods of dolphins have been seen by mariners earlier in the year around Durlston and in Poole Bay, however last month a common dolphin stranded and was later found dead in Poole Harbour.

Wareham man, Trevor Smith also spotted the dolphins on his way towards Swanage in his boat.

He said: "I was sailing past on my way towards Swanage when a motor boat came past calling 'dolphins' and pointing.

"We joined sevral other boats sailing around with the pod for about holf an hour and were lucky to have several swimming under and alongside our boat.

"They seemed to come over to meet us as we nerared them and we got a few shots on the phone camera.

"We had a similar experience at the same time last year so the water temperature must be attracting prey fish."

Trevor's pictures have been added to our gallery.