Weymouth’s all-weather lifeboat was launched late last night to assist a yacht which had broken down.

The lifeboat was launched at 11.40pm to assist a yacht, which had suffered an engine failure, around eight miles south west of Portland Bill.

According to a spokesman from Weymouth RNLI Lifeboat: “The volunteer crew were at the scene by 00:30am.

“After checking that the two persons on board the yacht were safe and well, a line was passed and the vessel towed back to Weymouth Harbour."

The lifeboat and causality vessel arrived at 03.30am today and were met by Wyke Coastguard who offered safety advice and took details, which they passed on to the National Maritime Operations Centre.

The lifeboat returned to its berth where it was refuelled and made ready for the next shout.