THE RNLI has been launched to help a surfer in difficulty near Swanage.

Swanage lifeboat volunteers were tasked to help the surfer following adverse weather on Thursday evening (March 28).

He had been surfing in Durlston Bay, but wind, tide and swell had forced him towards Peveril Ledge.

As the lifeboat launched, the surfer had passed into Swanage Bay, where RNLI volunteers were able to get him onboard quickly and safely.

They then headed to Durlston Bay to check all the other surfers had been able to make it ashore before darkness, before returning to refuel ready for service.

It was the start of a busy Easter weekend for the Swanage lifeboat crews.

Just before 8.30pm on Saturday night, the volunteers were paged to assist a yacht with engine failure.

The yacht was making good progress under sail, but was not able to make it safely into a harbour without an engine.

RNLI crews located the yacht around four miles south of Swanage, and escorted it to Swanage Bay, before towing it into Poole Harbour for shelter.

With the yacht safely on a mooring, the crew returned to station just before 1am.

This video posted on social media by Swanage Lifeboat Station shows the lifeboat launching to the surfer whilst RNLI volunteers prepare recovery gear on the slipway.