THE body of an elderly woman from Swanage was found in the sea by a lifeboat crew in the early hours of Monday morning.

Police were called at around 12.30am after the woman, aged in her 80s, was reported missing from her home in Gilbert Road.

A search involving the NPAS helicopter, Coastguard volunteers, and RNLI crew from Swanage was carried out.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "Officers and the coastguard carried out a search of the area, but very sadly the body of the woman aged in her 80s was located off the coast near Peveril Point at around 2.45am.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious and her family have been updated. The coroner has been informed."

An RNLI spokesperson said: "Both Swanage lifeboats were launched in the early hours of Monday morning to assist in a multi-agency search for an elderly woman missing from her home in Swanage. The lifeboats joined officers from Dorset Police, the police helicopter and Coastguard volunteers to search the shoreline and Swanage Bay.

"Very sadly the body of the woman aged in her 80s was located off the coast near Peveril Point at around 2.45am. She was recovered by the inshore lifeboat and taken ashore to police officers. Our thoughts are with her friends and family at this time."