Two missing divers late back from a trip were found by lifeboat crews after an evening search.

The Weymouth Lifeboat and Weymouth Inshore Lifeboat were launched at 7pm on Friday following reports of two missing divers received by Solent Coastguard.

The divers were 40 minutes past their due time to resurface and the dive boat had declared a ‘Mayday’ distress signal.

The volunteer crews proceeded to a position two-miles from Durdle Door to begin a search. Swanage Lifeboat Station was also tasked to the area.

A spokesman for Weymouth Lifeboat said: “On the way to the search area, both divers, who had surfaced away from their support boat, were spotted by the inshore lifeboat and recovered from the water an hour before darkness.

"The rescue was made possible by the safety equipment carried by the divers, including a bright surface marker buoy and a good light which made them easy to locate.”

Both boats returned to their berths around 8.30pm and were made ready for the next shout.