A man planning on floating to France on a home-made raft was stopped by police and coastguards on Sunday.

Rescuers were alerted after getting a call about a person in the water, thought to be in the Weymouth area.

When they got to the scene they found the man with his raft.

A spokesman for Wyke Coastguard Rescue Team said: "We were tasked to assist Weymouth and Portland Police along with Lulworth Coastguard Rescue Team after a person was reported in the water. On arrival it was discovered a male had built a raft and claimed he was going to France.

"Once he was dissuaded from this adventure both teams returned to station."

The coastguard team was then called to Portland Harbour after a person was seen going into the water from his stand-up paddleboard, prompting a 999 call.

The spokesman said: "We, along with Weymouth inshore lifeboat were subsequently tasked. The lifeboat crew established the casualty was an experienced spear fisherman. With all being well we returned to station."