Boat family rescued in rough seas by Poole lifeboat

The Poole lifeboat carried out a search of the bay for the family after they called for help

A family had to be rescued after getting into difficulties in their boat off the Dorset coast.

When the four adults and two children set off from Poole on Thursday morning the weather was fine, but it later turned rough and the sea choppy.

They were unable to keep their 16ft (4.9m) vessel on course and were close to Ballard Down off Old Harry Rocks when they had to call for help.

The Poole RNLI all-weather lifeboat rescued them and towed their boat in.

The Mudeford RNLI Inshore lifeboat also joined in the search for the family's boat.