DRAMATIC footage of a helicopter rescue involving a Weymouth sailor will be aired on national television tomorrow.

Yachtsman John Birtwistle, from Nothe Parade, radioed for help after his friend Sue Bowness caught her fingers between a winch and a length of chain.

The pair were on board his yacht Tir Na Nog with his dog Fionn at the end of a two-week West Country cruise last August.

Coastguards despatched Portland's helicopter - complete with a BBC camera crew that had been filming earlier in the day.

Footage from the rescue has been used in the BBC1 programme 'Danger on the Beach' featuring coastal emergencies.

Mr Birtwistle, who is moorings officer for the Weymouth and Portland Cruising Association, said: "We had anchored off Beer for a bit of lunch on our way home. It ended up raining pretty hard so we decided to head off.

"As Sue pulled up the chain, she cried out 'Bring a tea towel' and blood started pouring from her hand.

"I didn't like the look of what I could see, so I called Portland Coastguard on 16 saying that I needed urgent medical advice I described the damage as best I could and was told that they were launching the helicopter, which was a relief because I didn't know how I was going to get her ashore to an ambulance.

Mr Birtwistle said a first-aider from Portland's Whisky Bravo helicopter came aboard, asking if the tea towel was clean.

"I then had to motor on a heading while the aircraft dropped a wire down - the noise was tremendous," said Mr Birtwistle.

Ms Bowness, 55, was winched aboard and flown straight to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester.

After an operation to mend one of the tendons in her hand, doctors said there would not be any permanent damage.

She said: "It was extremely painful and I nearly lost the tips of my fingers - at the time I had no idea how I was going to get to an ambulance."

Mr Birtwistle, 58, added: "I have nothing but praise for the professionalism of the Whisky Bravo team. I am thankful we were able to keep the rescue helicopter operating out of Portland."

The programme featuring the rescue will be shown on Wednesday, April 28, at 7pm.