VOLUNTEER lifeboat crew took part in their first exercise with a new Coastguard search and rescue helicopter team.

Members of the RNLI lifeboat crew in Lyme Regis carried out the operation with the Coastguard crew from Lee-on-Solent, who are due to take over from those based at Portland.

From July, the Portland helicopter, which was called out 166 times last year, will no longer be in operation and the the search and rescue helicopter will have to come from Lee-on-Solent in Hampshire.

Two lifeboat crews took part in the exercise during their regular training evening last week.

Lyme Regis RNLI helm Jon Broome, who is also the lifeboat’s training co-ordinator, said: "The exercise was very worthwhile.

“I spoke to the helicopter captain afterwards and he said he was very impressed with the skill and competency of the lifeboat crew, and explained that was why he was felt happy to lower a winchman to our boat during the exercise.”