RESCUERS have reiterated a warning to stay safe at the coast after two major rescues at the weekend - with one swimmer said to have a 'very lucky escape'.

With the fine weather continuing and the last week of the school summer holidays, residents and visitors are being urged to be safe and not put their lives at risk at the coast and seaside.

Just before the long weekend, HM Coastguard issued a warning to coastal visitors saying: 'Make sure it's a day to remember rather than one you would rather forget.'

They issued tips to 'avoid a bank holiday weekend from hell'.

Rescuers have been kept busy over the bank holiday. They urge people to call 999 and ask for the coastguard if someone is in trouble at the coast.

A man was said to have had a 'very lucky' escape after being swept out to sea off Portland in darkness.

He was eventually plucked to safety by a lifeboat crew after spending about half an hour in the water a few hundred metres off Chesil Cove. His cries for help could be heard on the shore and witnesses described a tense scene before he was saved.

Onlookers said he entered the sea from Chesil Beach near Quiddles Café on Friday night but soon got into difficulty, which prompted two people to go into the sea to try and rescue him. Later, people also launched a rowing boat as part sof a frantic rescue attempt before a lifeboat arrived.

Coastguard teams from Portland Bill and Wyke Regis along with police officers, paramedics, a coastguard rescue helicopter and Weymouth Lifeboat were scrambled at 9.30pm on Friday.

A person on the scene said: "There were a lot of people on the shoreline and there was grave concern for the man who went in the sea. It was pitch black and no-one could see him. I believe his friend went in after him and then someone who was an experienced swimmer also went in to try and help.

"They managed to get out, or were helped out, but the man was still missing. He had been pulled by the tide and was about 2-300 metres out, drifting offshore towards the Wyke end of Chesil Beach.

"He was eventually pulled out by the lifeboat. I would say he had a very lucky escape indeed."

Meanwhile, a man left clinging to a cliff after he scrambled up it to look for his dog was rescued - with his pet helping to 'raise the alarm'.

The man got stuck on a cliff at Dungy Head between Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove and needed to be rescued.

It is understood he had been on the beach when his dog ran off.

Chasing after his pet, he ended up going up the cliff away from the path but got into difficulty.

Rescuers said the dog had managed to scale the cliff and run home - believed to be close by - prompting concerned relatives to raise the alarm with the emergency services.

They compared it to a rescue by fictional Rough Collie dog Lassie.

The owner, who is also understood to have raised the alarm using his mobile phone, was hauled to safety by coastguards using a full rope rescue.

Coastguard rescue teams from Kimmeridge, Lulworth and Wyke responded on Friday morning along with police and the RNLI.

A spokesman for Kimmeridge Coastguard Rescue Team said: "Thankfully the person was rescued safe and well and the dog had managed to scale the cliff and made its way home raising concerns with other family members in true Lassie-style!"

Weymouth RNLI inshore lifeboat responded to the incident. On the way back to the station, the the lifeboat was re-tasked to check on a canoe found by a dive boat for recent signs of occupancy. On reaching the kayak it showed no signs of recent occupancy and the volunteer crew returned to the station.

On Friday night, Coastguard and RNLI crews were called to assist a "dinghy in difficulty" with a family onboard - including a child and a dog.

The family were in a dinghy at the entrance to Wareham river and "uncertain of their location".

A team from Kimmeridge Coastguard was paged at 7.03pm to assist with an RNLI crew from Poole who had already launched.

As the lifeboat arrived at the entrance of the river - to conduct a welfare check - information came through that the family were now making their way to the River Frome, and all were okay.

The family made their way to Redclyffe Yacht Club, where coastguards were standing by.

Luckily the occupants were staying at a campsite close by and were looking forward to a warm shower and some hot food.

A spokesperson for Kimmeridge Coastguard said: "As always coastguard teams around the country will be available 24/7 for any coastal emergencies."