A WOMAN who sparked a major search after she went missing while visiting Swanage has been found safe and well. 

Police officers appealed for the public’s help to locate 56-year-old Mary Harper, from Surrey.

Mary was last seen at 11.45am on Tuesday September 19, as she walked near Durlston Castle with her husband and family members.

The group walked from Durlston Castle to Anvil Point lighthouse.

As they returned, Mary opted to walk alone on the inland path and agreed to meet her husband and relatives 30 minutes later at Durlston Castle Tea Rooms.

Her family contacted Dorset Police at 5.18pm after searches to find her proved negative.

A major search was launched involving officers from Dorset Police, the NPAS police helicopter, Coastguard helicopter and Dorset Search and Rescue.

As she had no mobile phone with her she was unable to get in touch with her family so made her own way home to Surrey.

She made efforts to contact her family overnight, but due to poor phone signal was unable to reach them.

Just after 11am on Wednesday, police said she had been found safe and well.

A Dorset Police spokesperson thanked members of the public for their help with the appeal.