Search for fisherman called off

Family pay tribute to fisherman

The search for a missing fisherman, who fell overboard while working off the Dorset Coast, has been called off.

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

Rescue teams began searching the area around Portland Bill in the afternoon but the operation was scaled down overnight due to bad weather and light.

Mr Lynham was described as an experienced fisherman.

Rescue teams, including Royal Navy vessels, an RNLI lifeboat and a coastguard helicopter searched the area for any sign of Mr Lynham for five hours on Tuesday.

On Wednesday the rescue helicopter "Whiskey Bravo" continued the search.

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