TWO people were rescued when their dinghy broke down in Portland harbour.

Wyke Coastguard Rescue Team had been returning from an unrelated call-out when one of their members spotted 'something amiss' in the harbour.

They pulled into Ferrybridge to take a closer look and discovered two people in a dinghy clinging to the 'matchstick' - a marker post - some way away from the shore.

A spokesman for Wyke Coastguard said: "The NMOC were informed and the Portland harbour rib was dispatched to go and fetch them.

"The team then relocated to Portland Sailing academy and met them. They had suffered engine failure, despite having oars they were unable to make any headway in to the wind. Fortunately they were able to halt their seaward progress when reaching the matchstick.

Other than a little cold the pair were otherwise okay."

The team gave the pair safety advice and went on their way.