A major coastal search for a person in the water off Portland lasted more than two hours earlier today (Thursday).

Crews from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Portland and Wyke Coastguard Rescue Teams were called to a report of a person suspected to be in the water off Sandsfoot beach at 12.40pm on Thursday, October 3.

However, after an 'extensive search' the rescue teams could not locate anybody in the water in the area and the inshore lifeboat from Weymouth lifeboat station returned to base at 3pm. 

Officers from Dorset Police also helped with the search and were able to locate the person 'safe and well'.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "We received a report at 12.18pm raising concern for the welfare of a person in the water off Rylands Lane in Weymouth.

"Officers liaised with the coastguard, who attended the incident and established the individual was safe and well and no further action was required."

A spokesperson for the RNLI said: "Weymouth RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launched at 12.40pm today (October 3) following a request from HM Coastguard to conduct a search for a person suspected to be in the water off Sandsfoot beach, Portland Bill.

"Following an extensive search and nobody located, the lifeboat was stood down just after 3pm, and returned to station."

A spokesperson from HM Coastguard said: "A search coordinated by HM Coastguard in response to a report of a person in the water near Sandsfoot beach did not find anyone in distress.

"A report was made at about 12.30pm on October 3.

"Portland Bill and Wyke Coastguard Rescue Teams attended as well as the RNLI's inshore lifeboat from Weymouth and Dorset Police."