AN INJURED sailor has been airlifted to Dorset County Hospital.

Portland Coastguard was alerted to reports of a sailor injured on board a 75-foot vessel 15 miles south west of Portland Bill just before 3pm.

It is believed the sailor had fallen and suffered a suspected cracked rib and he was airlifted to Dorset County Hospital.

The RNLI Lifeboat was also launched and helped escort the vessel back into harbour.