Six paddle boarders rescued off Chesil Cove

This was later updated to four, after two people went to try and help.

Both boats were launched and the inshore lifeboat reached the casualties first, about half a mile from the beach, at 7.40pm. They were brought onboard the boat and returned safely to the beach where family and the Coastguard Rescue Team were waiting.

The incident was called in to the Coastguard by Alice, an RNLI crew member and RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor who was on the beach with friends and saw the unfolding scene.

'I saw three paddle boarders and one made it back and raised the alarm. I immediately contacted the Coastguard and informed the family. The two other people set off to help before we could stop them. I think even the most experienced paddlers would have struggled in that breeze.'

The volunteer crew then went back and picked up two other paddle boarders they had passed who were also struggling to get back to shore.

The RNLI always advises anyone paddle boarding or taking part in any other activities around the coast to wear appropriate buoyancy aids and have a means of calling for help.

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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