A MAN was rescued from halfway down a verge in the middle of the night after getting 'lost'.

Firefighters from Portland Fire Station were called to rescue a man who was halfway down a slope on New Road, Portland, at 12.57am this morning.

Fire crews from Portland, Weymouth and Poole, along with police and coastguard officers from Portland Bill and Wyke coastguard rescue teams were called to help.

An aerial ladder platform and technical rescue crews brought the man to safety. 

A spokesman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "A male was halfway down a verge or slope on New Road, Portland, and needed rescuing.

"It was quite difficult because it was dark but crews rescued him in just under an hour. In the end, he wasn't injured, he just needed to be retrieved from where he was.

"The pump from Portland, an aerial ladder platform from Weymouth and technical rescue crews from Weymouth and Poole were sent to help.

"Thanks to all involved."

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "At 1.01am, Dorset Police had a report from the fire service that a man was lost half way down a hill. He was located and able to make his way back to safety."