A BOLD attempt to guide Weymouth and Portland's adopted dolphin across the Channel to France was beginning today.

Marine expert Ric O'Barry and members of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) launched a rescue mission just after 5am to return the adult bottlenose back to his natural home, believed to be close to the port of Cherbourg.

The operation got off to a slow start after Randy, who is also known as Georges, failed to show up.

The aim is to lure the mammal away from the Dorset coast and entice him to follow a boat by towing Mr O'Barry wearing a dry suit.

Mr O'Barry, who worked as a trainer on the TV show Flipper, fears Randy - who has a habit of biting boat propellers - will be killed if he stays in local waters any longer.

Mr O'Barry says Weymouth and Portland will be known as the resort that saved the dolphin if the plan is pulled off, but admits he has never attempted this kind of rescue mission before.

Jonathan Pearce, of the WSPA, said the journey across the Channel would normally take about eight hours.

He said they would continue to search for Randy until noon before calling off the mission for the day.

Mr Pearce said: "Once we find the dolphin we will have to assess his condition before making a decision on whether to try and move him."