SCORES of people flocked to a Weymouth pub for a musical marathon in aid of the families of three tragic fishermen.

The Sailor’s Return on Weymouth harbourside hosted the event for the Purbeck Isle Memorial Fund.

The day included a boat flotilla, which sailed out of the harbour to the site of the Purbeck Isle wreck.

The floating procession saw family, friends and well-wishers scatter flowers in the water in memory of Weymouth crewmen David McFarlane, 35, Robert Prowse, 20 and Jack Craig, 22, who were reported missing on May 17.

During the search and rescue mission the body of skipper David McFarlane was found, as was the wreck of the boat, but Robert Prowse and Jack Craig are still missing.

Eight bands performed throughout the day including The Dinnerladies, Speedway Snails and Hustle and Reactor, which David McFarlane’s brother Steven performs in.

A charity auction was also held to raise money for the memorial fund, which is spearheaded by the Weymouth and Portland Licensed Fisherman’s and Boatman’s Association.

Secretary Andy Alcock said: “It’s just amazing that everyone’s got together. It has been a good day and it is brilliant that everyone wants to donate.”

Pub landlord Dan Wilson said: “All of the money made will go towards the fund.

“It has been a great turn out and we would just like to thank everyone for turning up and the bands for volunteering to play for us.”

The families of the three men spent the day encouraging people to sign a petition to keep the Portland Coastguard helicopter, which is due to be replaced with a regional service.

Colin McFarlane, David McFarlane’s father, said that it had been Jack Craig’s mum Belinda who had suggested that all the families worked to promote the campaign.

He said: “To withdraw the helicopter will definitely cost lives – it’s totally unacceptable.” He added: “We would just like to say a big thank you to everyone who came down to the event.

“Everyone has been so generous and we are very grateful.”

Borough Councillor Sandy West, who represents Underhill, said the community must fight to save the Portland Coastguard helicopter.

She added: “The day has been amazing for the family and friends of the Purbeck Isle crew.

“It really shows the community coming together and now we have to fight to save the helicopter.”

Steven McFarlane and his band Reactor finished off the day at the pub following the boat flotilla.

People can sign up to the Save the Portland Coastguard helicopter e-petition on the government’s website, or go to epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/30225