COASTGUARD officers searching for a missing man in Swanage yesterday discovered a mortar shell in Durlston Country Park.

Teams based in Swanage, St Albans and Kimmeridge have joined searches for Gerald Turner, who was last seen at his home in Church Hill at 3am on Sunday, March 4.

A spokesperson from the coastguard said: "Officers, along with partner agencies, have conducted searches along the coast, cliffs and areas of Durlston and the Townsend nature reserve.

"During the search on Tuesday, a Coastguard team located an 88 millimetre mortar shell in Durlston Park.

"An explosive ordnance disposal team attended and destroyed the item.

"We would reminder members of the public not to put themselves at risk if searching."

Mr Turner, 67, was reported missing at 11.30am on Sunday.

Police last night released CCTV footage of a man walking across Swanage High Street towards Priests Road at around 6.30am that day.

Officers say they believe the man is Mr Turner.

Anyone with information or knowledge as to Mr Turner's whereabouts is asked to contact Dorset Police via dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55180033032.