THREE people involved in a paragliding incident were airlifted to safety by a coastguard helicopter.

A lifeboat was launched as part of the rescue operation at 3.39pm yesterday to attend to the paragliding incident at Eype.

Yesterday, a spokesman for Lyme Regis RNLI said: "Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat was launched today at 3.39pm following a paragliding incident involving three people at Eype east of Lyme Regis.

"The volunteer lifeboat crew were stood down at 6.23pm after all three people were airlifted to safety from the beach by the coastguard helicopter.

"The lifeboat crew had been asked to stand off while the rescue operation was carried out by the coastguard helicopter.

"This was the 27th emergency call for the lifeboat crew so far this year and the fourth during Lifeboat Week which ended today."