A WARSHIP steamed to the rescue of a motor cruiser which ran into trouble off Portland Bill.

HMS Liverpool went to the assistance of Blue Rose after her crew issued an emergency call for help.

The boat, with four people on board, suffered engine failure and a passenger was suffering severe seasickness.

The warship put engineers and medics on board to try and repair the engine and to treat the ill crew member.

The repairs succeeded and Weymouth Lifeboat, which also went to the scene, escorted Blue Rose as she made her way back to Weymouth yesterday where she was met by Wyke Coastguard rescue officers.

Elsewhere, one of two landing craft en route to Plymouth got into trouble when it began to take on water off Portland Bill.

Weymouth Lifeboat was launched and its crew used a salvage pump to pump out water before both landing craft were escorted to shelter in Portland Harbour where a crew member was treated for a minor injury.

The all-weather lifeboat was again launched to go to the aid of the 10-metre fishing vessel, Lisa K, with three crew on board after she called for help with a tow needed after suffering engine failure in Lyme Bay.

When the lifeboat arrived her crew were able to set up a tow and they brought the vessel safely in to Weymouth Harbour.

Lulworth coastguard rescue officers were sent to Stair Hole, near Lulworth Cove, after receiving a report about a group of youths jumping into the sea from the cliffs.

They then talked to a group of five young people and explained about the dangers of tombstoning - the extreme sport involving diving off cliffs and rocks into the sea - and the group agreed not to go ahead with the activity and left the area.