Four people, including a couple from Weymouth, and their two dogs were rescued after a fire broke out on board a yacht.

Jon and Louise Stevens were sailing M/Y Juliette with their family just south of Poole when they smelt burning plastic and discovered two fires in the engine room.

Lifeboats from Poole and Swanage were called to the scene following a mayday call to coastguards at 5.50pm on Saturday.

Both of Poole’s lifeboats attended along with the all-weather lifeboat from Swanage.

Two people and the two dogs were rescued by Poole’s D class lifeboat before being transferred to Swanage lifeboat, and the fire on board was put out.

An RNLI spokesperson said: “One of the casualties on Swanage Lifeboat deteriorated and an immediate evacuation was required, an ambulance was requested to North Haven point.”

Meanwhile, two lifeboat crew from Poole were transferred onto the vessel before another person was rescued and taken to North Haven point.

Once the casualties were in the care of the ambulance service, the vessel was towed back to Poole Harbour where it was checked over by the fire service and Poole Coastguard.

Poole lifeboat was re-fuelled and ready for service by 10.50pm.