A MAJOR search was carried following reports of a person in difficulty in the water off Bournemouth. 

Coastguard teams from Poole and Southbourne along with Mudeford RNLI Lifeboat was called to Durley Chine at 7.14am on Wednesday morning, March 15.

A spokesperson for Poole Coastguard said having been instructed to access the beach at Shore Road, several reports were received saying the person had been seen exiting the water and heading in a westerly direction.

The spokesperson said: “The Poole team carried out a search of the shore line and areas adjacent the promenade, around beach huts etc in an easterly direction from Shore Road.

“After several hours of searching, and nothing untoward found, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre stood down all HMCG assets.

“We would like to thank the several swimmers and members of the public we spoke to in reference to our tasking today.

“We carried out a small debrief and then returned to our station with thanks.”