COASTGUARDS are searching for a sailor whose empty yacht was found grounded on a French beach this morning.

Palamina set sail for Swanage from Castle Cove Sailing Club in Porland between 7-8am on Saturday morning with one person aboard, but the boat never arrived.

The 27-foot yacht, with a blue and green hull, was found washed up between Dieppe and Fécamp this morning at around 7.30am with no one aboard.

Dorset Police have joined coastguards in investigating the incident.