FIRE and coastguard officers were called to deal with a corroded canister washed up on the beach at Chewton Bunny near Highcliffe this afternoon.

The rusty compressed gas canister has now been checked for traces of heat and is thought to be safe.

One fire crew from Christchurch was called to the scene by coastguard officers around 2.30pm.

A Hazmat officer also attended.

A spokeswoman for Dorset Fire and Rescue said the local authority had been called to pick up the canister.