A LIFEBOAT crew were called to a yacht caught on a pot line miles offshore early this morning.

The Swanage-based volunteers were alerted by the Coastguard at around 3.30am after officials took a VHF radio call from the crew of 14-metre yacht Augusta.

The yacht was anchored firmly by the stern to the seabed some 12 nautical miles - around 14 miles - south of Anvil Point.

Coxswain Gavin Steeden and a crew of five made "excellent speed" to the yacht's position and found the crew were safe and well.

The yacht was also in good condition, but trapped with a strong tide holding the stern.

Two crew went aboard and various attempts were made to snag the trapped line with a grapnel and release the weight by towing the Augusta against the tide.

Eventually, the lifeboat crew managed to cut the line and the yacht drifted free.

However, the Augusta's steering and propulsion appeared to have been damaged, so the vessel was towed back to Swanage Bay.

The lifeboat returned to her slipway at 7am - in time for the crew to head off to work.