A LIFEBOAT was launched to assist two sailing dinghies that were in difficulty in Studland Bay on Thursday afternoon.

The call came in just after 3pm and the dinghies were repeatedly capsizing in the blustery offshore wind and there was concern for their safety.

However, on route the crew of the Swanage Inshore Lifeboat were told that a local boat from Knoll Beach had recovered the dinghies and was towing them back to shore.

This meant that the lifeboat was able to return to Swanage, which they did before being tasked to a windsurfer in difficulty near Peveril Point.

The lifeboat crew established that the windsurfer had been brought ashore shortly before they arrived by a passing boat.

The crew then returned to the station.