EMERGENCY services were called to a Dorset beauty spot following reports of a woman’s body in the sea.

Police said they were alerted just after 9am on Monday and officers were sent to Mudeford Sandbank.

The woman’s body was then pulled from the sea and appeared to be wrapped in a tarpaulin and placed on the beach.

The drama unfolded just to the rear of the Black House, self-catering holiday flats situated at the end of the prestigious Mudeford Sandbank.

Police and ambulance vehicles were parked across the water at Mudeford Quay and two police cars were on the beach, having accessed the site from the lane at Hengistbury Head.

Police officers were stationed at various points on the beach to ensure members of the public were kept away from the body.

A police spokesman said: “Dorset Police was called at 9.03am on Monday October 16, to reports of a body of a woman in the water a short distance off the Mudeford Sandbank.

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the death and the identity of the woman.”

There were a number of members of the public in the area, which is popular with dog walkers. Many people were out for a walk due to the unusually warm weather for the time of year.

One woman, who did not wish to be named, told the Daily Echo: “I live nearby and I heard a helicopter buzzing around for quite a while so I came out to see what was going on.

“At first I thought it was perhaps some kind of rescue but now I realise someone has died. It’s very sad.”

One man, who works on Mudeford Quay, said: “I could see something on the beach when I first got to work but I couldn’t quite work out what it was. Later I was a told a body had been found.”

The Dorset coroner has been informed of the death and an inquest will be held at a date to be fixed.