A BODY found washed up at a Dorset beauty spot has been identified as missing Milford-on-Sea pensioner Ralph Shawcross, who disappeared from a local care home earlier this month.

Solent Coastguard helicopter was called in to help police units, including a spotter plane and dog teams, in a major search operation after Mr Shawcross, 88, went missing from the Hordle Cliff residential home on September 5.

After three days of scouring the beach, cliffs and Hurst Spit shingle bank, the search was called off when the missing man's trousers and wallet were found under a rock in the water at Milford on Sea.

The body of Mr Shawcross, pictured, was discovered floating in the sea off Kimmeridge on Sunday September 12 and formal identification using dental records was completed on Wednesday when an inquest was opened and adjourned by the East Dorset coroner.

A post mortem examination found the cause of death was due to natural causes and the inquest was transferred to the Hampshire coroner's department.

In a statement issued through Hampshire police the family of Mr Shawcross thanked everyone involved in the extensive search and especially to the many volunteers who helped.