COASTGUARD searches for a man thought to be in the sea off Portland have been stood down today - as police say they are 'very concerned' for his welfare.

There are grave concerns for the man who left his belongings on Chesil Beach, sparking an extensive major land, air and sea search of the coast yesterday afternoon.

Teams continued to search in the dark on Thursday night but the search was called off around 8.30pm.

It continued today but Dorset Police said this afternoon that coastguards had now been stood down from the search.

The police search is ongoing and the force says anyone with information is asked to contact officers on 101 .

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "We are very concerned for the man's welfare."

Police believe the man, from Portland and in his 50s, entered the water and come to harm. Officers are in contact with the man's family and offering assistance.

The alarm was raised when items were found on the beach, about 50 yards west of Chesil Beach car park.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "Just after 2.15pm we were called by a member of the public after a bag, clothing and mobile phone were found on Chesil Beach.

"Unfortunately it is believed the owner of the belongings has entered the water and come to harm.

"A shoreline and offshore search of the area was launched with the coastguards including the helicopter assisting police.

"Police have identified the owner of the items as a man in his 50s from Portland and we are in contact with the family."

The spokesman understood the sea search would continue this morning.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said coastguard rescue teams from Wyke and Portland Bill stations were involved together with the Weymouth Lifeboat and the Portland Coastguard rescue helicopter.

It is understood around 20-25 coastguard personnel were involved.

A spokesman said a thorough search was carried out after the service was alerted by the police for the concern for welfare of a missing person.

Wyke CRT were called shortly after 5.30pm last night to assist their team at Portland Bill CRT in searching for a casualty feared to be in the water at Chesil Bank.

Weymouth ALB and Rescue 106 were also called to help for the combined land and sea search.

After an exhaustive and thorough search of the area the teams were stood down just before 9pm and retuned to their respective bases.

Residents noticed the helicopter buzzing over Portland yesterday afternoon. They said as darkness fell it was using its powerful searchlight to scan the beach and the water. It was seen flying up and down the coast from Chesil Cove to Wyke Regis.

Coastguard vehicles parked up at Chesil Beach car park where the search was being co-ordinated from. Teams were seen sweeping up and down the beach using torches.

Coastguard teams were debriefed before leaving the scene.