The crew of Lyme Regis’ RNLI lifeboat helped tackle a fire on a 38ft yacht in the town’s harbour last night.

The alarm was raised at around 8pm on Thursday (May 11), when a fire broke out in the electrical mechanism of the windlass, which operates the yacht’s anchor.

The couple aboard the 38ft yacht, Charisma, Adam Bispham and his wife Lynne, from Weymouth, used fire extinguishers. Two lifeboat crew members also tackled the fire.

Mr Bispham said: “We were just lowering the anchor when the fire started. It could have been very serious.

“I am a member of the RNLI and this is the first time I have had to call them. We were delighted to see them.

“The lifeboat crew were fantastic and even lifted the anchor by hand and inflated our tender.”

Long-serving lifeboat volunteer Jon Broome said: “There was a good deal of smoke when we arrived on scene but the fire was soon under control.

“Mr and Mrs Bispham were pleased to see us and even made us a cup of tea with biscuits.

“After the incident we made sure they were safe and secure for their overnight stay.”

The lifeboat crew returned to Lyme Regis harbour after 90 minutes on scene.