THREE divers had to be rescued from the Swanage area this morning.

The coastguard helicopter was called out just after 11am in response to a distress call.

The divers had experienced a rapid ascent, with one showing signs of the bends.

After rescuing the divers, the helicopter took them to Whitecliff in Poole. The area was cleared so the helicopter could land and the divers checked over.

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “The divers had a rapid ascent from 26m and were checked by the dive doctor on site.

“They were then sent by ambulance to the recompression chamber for further checks.”