A POLICE search was continuing today for the driver of an abandoned car found at Mudeford Quay on Saturday morning.

The Mudeford RNLI lifeboat, the police helicopter, coastguard teams and several police cars were all on the scene early on Saturday in the search for the driver of the vehicle.

And on Sunday, the police helicopter was again seen searching the area of Christchurch Bay, hovering for some time over Mudeford Quay.

A pair of glasses and a coat were discovered on the quayside on Saturday, with the car found unlocked and the keys inside.

A spokesperson for the Dorset Police confirmed that they were called at 6.39am with a report of the abandoned red Ford Focus. They added that it is assumed that the driver is still in the area.

“We are liaising with next of kin and family members. As soon as we’re in a position to provide any information we will do so.”

The car is registered to a man from Southampton.

A spokeswoman from Hampshire Police added: “We can confirm that we are conducting enquiries to locate a man from Southampton whose car was found at Mudeford Quay in Christchurch. This is the subject of a search lead by our colleagues at Dorset Police."

Dorset Police said its officers, the National Police Air Service helicopter and HM Coastguard were all searching to try and establish what happened to the driver.

Fisherman Pete Dadds, who is also a member of the RNLI crew, said the car was at the Quay when he arrived early Saturday, around 5.45am.

He discovered a pair of glasses and a coat on quayside.

"It's not unusual for people to leave stuff here but then I found the car was open and the keys were in there", he told the Daily Echo.

"I told my operations manager, who then alerted the coastguard and they contacted the police from there.

"I briefed the RNLI crew at Mudeford, who were then sent out as part of the search."

Officers remained on scene throughout the morning, liaising with members of the Southbourne Coastguard Unit.

Rebecca Laker, co-owner of The Fish Stall at the quay, said police had asked to see footage from their CCTV cameras first thing this morning.

She said the images show a car pulling up and a man walking down the steps to the water.

"It's very sad. We always see the RNLI going in and coming out. When I arrived and saw all the crews cars, I didn't think anything of it really. That's normal. It was only when I saw the police vehicles that I realised something had happened."

The Ford Focus was recovered from the quay around 11.40am on Saturday. Police officers then left the scene.

On Sunday, a spokesperson for Dorset Police said there was no update.

Any missing persons inquiry would be conducted by Hampshire Police.