A PARAGLIDER was spotted in difficulty off the Purbeck coast yesterday.

His canopy was seen to collapse between Ballard Point and Old Harry Rocks, and he went out of sight, sparking a 999 call.

A crew from Swanage Lifeboat Station was called to the incident at around 2pm.

However, just as the lifeboat was about to launch the coastguard confirmed the paraglider was with paramedics.

The RNLI crew was stood down.

It is not known if the paraglider was injured during his ordeal.