RNLI and coastguards crews were called out after reports of a swimmer was seen in difficulty in Swanage Bay.

Swanage Lifeboat Station were notified by the UK Coastguard of a swimmer spotted in the bay by an anchored vessel close to midnight on Sunday August 1.

Having launched at 0.30am, the swimmer was located by the RNLI crew and recovered at 0.52am and taken to shore where Swanage coastguard volunteers had arrived to provide assistance.

A spokesman from the RNLI said: “The crew of a boat anchored in Swanage Bay were concerned for the welfare of a swimmer just after midnight and called the UK Coastguard, who in turn asked for the Swanage D-class inshore lifeboat (ILB) to check the situation and help if necessary.

“The volunteer crew launched the boat, and the swimmer was quickly located and helped back to shore, where Swanage coastguard volunteers had arrived to assist as well.

“With the situation resolved the ILB was able to return to station for a quick wash down before the crew returned to their homes.”