Lifeboat crews were called to help police with a man 'in distress'. 

Weymouth RNLI inshore lifeboat launched after receiving a call from the UK Coastguard at 7.40pm yesterday.

Crew were asked by police to stand by and give cover in case a man who was in distress went into the water, near to Grove Point on Portland

A Weymouth RNLI spokesman said: "The lifeboat was in attendance at 7.55pm just around the corner from Durdle Pier where the incident was taking place.

"On a request from police, the lifeboat stayed out of sight of the man until he was talked into a safer place.

"The inshore lifeboat stayed on scene until crew were informed that they would no longer be needed, and returned to station at 8.20pm."

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "We were called at 5.18pm to a report of a concern for welfare for a man on Portland. 

"Officers attended, assisted by the coastguard, and located the man near to a sheer cliff."

The man was taken to hospital for treatment.