POOLE lifeboat was yesterday called to assist a speedboat which had crossed the Training Bank rocks.

Poole Inshore lifeboat was tasked by Solent Coastguard at just before 2.30pm following a report that the 6.8 metre sports boat required assistance in Studland Bay having crossed the ridge of rocks running parallel with the Swash Channel.

The stricken vessel had lost drive and was unable to manoeuvre.

A spokesman for the lifeboat service said: "The vessel with five people on board was drifting in Studland Bay when the lifeboat arrived on scene, the occupants had put down their anchor.

"The crew checked everyone was okay and attached a tow line to bring the stricken vessel safely home."

The lifeboat volunteers took the boat and people on board back to Cobbs Quay, where they were met by Poole Coastguards, and returned to station just after 4pm.

A short while later the lifeboat was tasked to investigate an "upturned boat" that had been reported by a member of public off Baiter Park.

Once on scene the crew examined the vessel and nothing untoward was found.