A SEARCH for a missing vulnerable woman has been called off after she was found.

Police were alerted by a member of the public and the missing woman was taken to Poole Hospital for a check-up.

A massive shoreline search had resumed this morning and the lifeboat was out again after last night’s hunt failed to discover her.

Last night, police officers joined the RNLI and coastguard helicopter in the search.

Crews combed the land around the area as well as the sea.

At around 11.45pm, a Dorset Police spokesperson confirmed the search was ongoing.

"A search is currently taking place for a missing female," she said.

"Officers are searching the area."

The woman left the specialist medical facility near Sandbanks.

Coastguard helicopter RESCUE-104 from Lee on Solent, the full Poole Coastguard Rescue Team and both Poole RNLI All-weather and Inshore Lifeboats all joined with police land, marine and air units in a co-ordinated attempt to locate her.

Poole Coastguard said on their Facebook page: "Job 8 Group page at 2200 to Bournemouth beach to search for a missing person from St Ann's hospital.

"Search team 1 sent to sandbanks chain ferry and back with search team 2 heading to Bournemouth Pier.

"Poole mobile searched to Boscombe pier with a rescue swimmer onboard.

"Also involved was rescue helo 104 from Solent ,both Poole lifeboats and Dorset Police.

"Stood down at 0200 after nothing found."