A multi-agency operation was launched to search for a missing person on the Dorset coast.

Coastguard teams and lifeboats were scrambled to help police in the search in Purbeck yesterday.

The person was believed to be somewhere between St Alban's Head and Kimmeridge Bay.

Both Swanage lifeboats launched at just before 3pm and proceeded initially to St Alban's Head. The inshore lifeboat slowed to searching speed and entered Chapman's Pool while the all-weather lifeboat was tasked to head directly to Kimmeridge Bay and search further to the west.

A Swanage RNLI spokesman said: "Conditions were excellent for searching and both boats were able to cover the coastline, cliffs and caves fairly quickly. In the meantime, St Alban's coastguard and Kimmeridge coastguard were searching higher ground including Houns Tout and Swyre Head.

"Just as the all-weather lifeboat passed Broadbench, news arrived that the missing person had been found close to Swyre Head, allowing the UK coastguard to stand down the lifeboats. Both boats and their volunteer crews were back in Swanage at 4.20pm."