Police searching for a missing woman from Poole have found a body.

Officers issued an appeal in the early hours of this morning for information about the whereabouts of Valerie Pitman from Poole.

She was reported missing by her family at 10.55pm last night after leaving her home address in Turks Lane.

Police say a body of a woman was discovered in the water between Middle Chine and Alum Chine at 5.57am today.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "While formal identification is yet to take place, we are very sad to report that the body is believed to be that of Valerie Pitman. Her next of kin have been informed."

Her death is not being treated as suspicious and the coroner has been notified.

Officers had been searching for her at coastal areas and in the local area.