A ROYAL Navy helicopter landed in a farmer's field in Studland yesterday after crew detected a possible technical fault.

No one was injured in the landing, which happened during an exercise off the south coast.

The helicopter remains in the field today while engineers work on the fault.

Malcolm Tice captured an image of the aircraft. He said a Chinook flew out to the field after the helicopter landed.

A Royal Navy spokesperson said: "A Royal Navy Merlin which was taking part in a routine exercise on the south coast on Tuesday made a precautionary landing in a safe and controlled manner in a field near Corfe Castle.

"All personnel are well.

"Squadron engineers are working to enable the helicopter to return to its home base at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton."