Police are appealing for information as a tent, clothing and fishing equipment have been unattended on a beach for three days.

Officers were contacted by the coastguard after the tent, first seen on Chesil Beach on Friday, is still there today (Monday).

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "Officers have been contacted by the coastguard after a tent, items of clothing and fishing equipment were found unattended on Chesil Beach, north of The Fleet near to West Bexington.

"While there is nothing at this stage to indicate anyone has come to harm and no searches are currently being carried out, the items are reported to have been there since Friday, July 24 and we are keen to establish the owner so they can retrieve their property and we can ensure that no further police action is required."

The West Bay Coastguard team were alerted just after 1.50pm by Solent Coastguard National Maritime Coastguard Operations Centre to reports of an unattended tent, fishing equipment.

A spokesman said: “Once on scene, officers spoke to with the first informant as well as a number of people who were staying in the area and also inspected the items.

“Information was received that the tent was first spotted as early as Saturday lunchtime but could have been there longer, with no persons seen in attendance.

“Due to the nature of the incident, the coastguard requested police attendance who arrived a short time later. The team was then stood down to return to station whilst the police continue their inquiries.

“Thanks goes out to the concerned members of the public who called this through to the coastguard.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 27:211.