A FATHER and son were treated to a stunning performance from scores of playful dolphins in Christchurch.

Kimbal Furmidge and his 15-year-old son Billy had ventured out on their boat hoping to catch some mackerel.

Instead they came across a huge pod of dolphins splashing in and out of the water at Christchurch Bay last weekend.

Mr Furmidge, who recorded the dazzling display on his mobile phone, said: “It was amazing.

"We went fishing, me and my boy, to see if the mackerel were around.

"When we saw the birds coming down we thought there might be fish out there.

"We went over on the boat and saw a few dolphins and then there were scores of them.

"I have never seen anything like it. Everywhere you looked you could see them splashing in the water."

The IT consultant said they stayed with the animals for around two hours before they swam out the bay.

The 45-year-old said: "We must have been out there for two hours and only saw one other boat, which went past and didn't seem to notice them.

"It was a spring tide which is normally when the fish come out. We didn't catch any fish that day but that's not surprising when the dolphins are around.

"When they were leaving it was as if they were showing off. We were behind them and they were swimming right under the boat."

Dorset Wildlife Trust marine conservation officer, Emma Rance, said it's important to keep your distance from dolphins and other marine wildlife while filming.

She said: "Any encounter with these enchanting yet vulnerable mammals can evoke such emotion, however, it’s important to remember that human interaction can be harassing or even dangerous for them, with risk of boat or propeller strikes.

"Boat users must maintain a distance of 100m, or 200m if more than one boat, and either cut the engine or maintain a slow and steady course."

She added: "Dolphins should be allowed to approach but never followed or chased.”