REPORTS of a mystery object in the sea prompted a search operation just off the coast of west Dorset.

A crew from RNLI Lyme Regis and a coastguard team were called to the open water a quarter of a mile offshore near the Golden Cap.

A spokesman from RNLI Lyme Regis, said: "The volunteers of the RNLI lifeboat in Lyme Regis launched at 10.19am on Thursday, May 19 following reports of ‘objects’ in the sea a quarter of a mile offshore near Golden Cap.

"After a search, with the help of coastguards ashore, the lifeboat crew found what appeared to be a floating sleeper and tree debris.

"Solent coastguards stood the lifeboat crew down at 11.05am and they returned to Lyme Regis harbour at 11.20am."