A multi-agency search for a missing woman was launched in the early hours of this morning. 

Police, coastguard and lifeboat crews were involved in the search for the 45-year-old woman, who had been staying in a tent on the beach at Seatown, near Bridport. 

She was reported missing to police just before 10pm last night. 

Lyme Regis lifeboat launched just after 2am this morning (8) to assist with the search in the Golden Cap area. 

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "Police received support from the coastguard and the coastguard rescue helicopter.

"The woman, from Somerset, has not been located and enquiries are ongoing to establish her whereabouts."

West Bay Coastguard joined the search for the woman, who was last seen heading towards Thorncombe Beacon.

A spokesman said: “After liaising with police to get an understanding of the areas already searched, the West Bay OIC (Officer in charge) deployed search teams from both Seatown and Eype towards Thorncombe Beacon, whilst the Lifeboat conducted a shoreline search of the beach and under-cliffs.

“With nothing found, the search area was widened, and officers redeployed to West Bay, East Cliff & West Cliff whilst the lifeboat conducted a shoreline search from Burton Bradstock to Charmouth.

“Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 175 was tasked with a FLIR Search (Forward Looking Infrared) and conducted sweeps of the entire area in-between Burton Bradstock and Charmouth.

“With dawn breaking and nothing found, all resources were stood down pending further enquiries.”