POOLE lifeboats went to the aid of two boats tangled in ropes near Sandbanks.

They were called at 4.40pm yesterday to a report of a 37ft catamaran with three people on board entangled near the bottom of Evening Hill.

A passing fishing boat with one person on board had gone to assist but had also become entangled. Both were being blown into shallow water.

The boats were cut clear and the lifeboats returned to the station and were ready for service by 6pm.

Volunteer Helm Jonathan Clark said: "The call out was one of those that could have escalated with the wind blowing the vessels into the shallow water.

"It’s always better to be safe than sorry and to seek help sooner, rather than later.”