A WOMAN feared to have gone overboard from a ferry off the Dorset coast has been named as 39-year-old Sarah Fenton.

Mrs Fenton, from Bristol, was last seen by her husband on a Condor Ferries’ vessel heading from Guernsey to Poole on Sunday night.

Her disappearance sparked a major sea search involving British and French coastguards.

Weymouth Lifeboat and the Portland Coastguard helicopter were involved in scanning the waters. The search was called off after five hours.

Police are treating it as a missing person inquiry.

Detective Inspector Becky Riggs of Dorset Police said: “Sarah’s family are very concerned about her and we are investigating the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

“I am appealing to anyone who may have seen Sarah on board the ferry to contact me urgently.

“Anyone with information should call us as soon as possible.”

Mrs Fenton’s husband was described by a fellow passenger on the ferry as “in shock and inconsolable” following his wife’s disappearance.

Captain Fran Collins, operations director of Condor Ferries, said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of the passenger at this difficult time.

“We will continue to work in close co-operation with all the authorities involved to ascertain the full circumstances.”

An inquiry has been launched by the States of Guernsey police into the tragedy.