Search for lost fisherman resumes

Peter Lynham was working on the boat Portland Isle

The search for a man who went missing from a fishing boat off the Dorset coast has resumed.

Peter Lynham, 20, from Weymouth, was fishing with his father and brother off Portland when he went overboard on Tuesday, while laying crab pots.

Coastguard helicopter "Whiskey Bravo" has been searching the area with coastguard rescue teams carrying out ground searches around Portland Bill.

The coastguard said the operation would be re-assessed at Wednesday lunchtime.

The chance of a successful outcome is unlikely Mark Rodway Family pay tribute to fisherman

Searches had been scaled down overnight, with the rescue helicopter carrying out infra red searches in the darkness.

On Tuesday, rescue teams including Royal Navy vessels, an RNLI lifeboat and a coastguard helicopter searched the area for the Weymouth man for five hours.

Mr Lynham has been described as an experienced fisherman who has crewed for his father for four years on the fishing vessel Portland Isle.

A Coastguard spokeswoman said sea conditions had been rough with "near gale force winds".

Mark Rodway, duty senior coastguard officer for Southern England, said: "With continuing poor weather and given the cold water temperature the chance of a successful outcome is unlikely.

"Clearly our thoughts and sympathies are with the family at this difficult time."