Three kayakers struggling at sea were rescued.

They were plucked to safety by a lifeboat after unsuccessfully trying to make headway in a fresh breeze near Old Harry Rocks, Studland, yesterday.

They were observed for a while by officers from Swanage Coastguard who saw that they were drifting and getting nowhere.

The inshore lifeboat from Swanage was launched to go and help them.

A spokesman for Swanage RNLI said: "Communications were established with the Swanage Coastguard, who directed the inshore lifeboat to the kayakers who were now nearly 2 nautical miles north of Old Harry. When the lifeboat made contact with the kayakers they were taken on board. A passing motorboat offered to take the kayaks back to Studland and the two boats then headed for Knoll Beach to be met by Swanage Coastguard."