COASTGUARDS helped assist police with finding a missing man and guiding a yacht back to safety yesterday.

Devon & Cornwall Police requested coastguard assistance to search for a high risk missing person who was not from the south of England area but whose car had been found near cliffs at Sidmouth.

Beer Coastguard Rescue Team was immediately tasked, followed by Coastguard Helicopter RESCUE-106 and Sidmouth Independent Inshore Rescue Boat.

In the course of the search, the helicopter located a contact at the base of Salcombe Hill Cliff, which was confirmed on investigation by the Sidmouth Inshore Rescue Boat crew as matching the description of the missing person.

The body was recovered by the inshore rescue boat and handed into the custody of the police.

A seven-metre yacht named Leebiju was helped back to Weymouth harbour after concerns were raised about the condition of the vessel Whilst on passage from Brixham to Weymouth the yacht reported concerns for the sea state when in the area of the Shambles Bank.

National Coastwatch Portland Bill were able to confirm the yachts position and a communication watch was then kept with the vessel until safe arrival at Weymouth.