PEOPLE at a Dorset beach were ordered out of the water due to an ‘investigation into marine wildlife’.

The blue flag at Boscombe Beach was said to be raised in place of a red one with beachgoers ordered out of the water following an announcement over the megaphone a witness has told the Echo.

Gemma Harris was at the beach at the time when around just after 1pm yesterday people were ordered out of the water.

A video on social media shows that people had got out of the sea while two lifeguards investigate.

Ms. Harris told the Echo: “Everyone got out, everyone listened to the lifeguards and acted quickly.”

The beach was then reopened half an hour later with a flag red after lifeguards searched the area for half an hour but could not find anything.

The Echo contacted the RNLI and BCP Council for further information.

More follows.