A yacht thought to be being “washed onto rocks” was escorted into Weymouth harbour in the early hours of this morning.

Weymouth Lifeboat Station launched an all-weather lifeboat at 1am this morning after reports of a 22ft yacht being washed into the rocks.

The vessel, with two people on board, was in the Church Ope Cove area of Portland. 

The Weymouth lifeboat crew quickly located the yacht and escorted it to a safe berth in the harbour where it was met by Wyke Coastguard Rescue Team.

A spokesperson for Wyke Coastguard Rescue Team said: “The two persons on board were on passage from Lyme Regis to Brighton, they had telephoned a friend ashore who had reason to be concerned for their welfare and called the Coastguard. 

"Once we had secured the vessel to the waiting pontoon safety advice was given.”