A large emergency presence has been in place at a Dorset beach after a person was ‘dragged out of the water.’

The huge emergency response consisted of a coastguard helicopter, an air ambulance, four land ambulances, police, lifeboats and additional coastguard crews.

The incident took place at Avon Beach in East Dorset.

HM Coastguard said they received multiple 999 calls at around 2.15pm on September 15, reporting a person having difficulty in the water.

Residents reported witnessing a person being 'dragged out of the water' by a member of the public.

The individual was then brought onto the beach, where they received treatment from paramedics.

A cordon was also put in place whilst the incident was ongoing.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "At 2.27pm, we received a report from the Coastguard about a welfare concern at Avon Beach.

"We were called to assist the Coastguard with an incident involving a member of the public.

"A cordon was established to manage the crowd, and the public was evacuated from the beach."