A STRICKEN boat was saved from drifting on to rocks by the lifeboat.

Swanage lifeboat was sent to help the vessel by the coastguard.

The emergency services were contacted just after 1pm on Thursday to a report of a boat with mechanical failure drifting close to Old Harry Rocks.

Swanage lifeboat was sent and took the vessel under tow back to its launching area at Studland.

A spokesman for the coastguard said: “Five people were on board. There were no injuries. The boat suffered a mechanical failure and it was drifting.”