THE body of a woman found off Portland could be missing doctor Rose Polge, police have revealed.

The News' sister paper, the Ech,o reported a female body was recovered from the sea near Portland Bill on Friday, April 1.

Devon and Cornwall Police have today confirmed they are verifying whether the body belongs to 25-year-old Rose Poldge.

Dr Polge, a junior doctor at Torby Hospital in Devon, has been missing since February 12.

On April 1, a sailing vessel called Phoenix discovered the body of a woman off Portland Bill.

The incident occurred at around 3.25pm and required the all weather lifeboat to be launched.

The body was recovered and taken to Portland Marina. The coroner was then notified.

In a statement on its website, Devon and Cornwall Police said: "On Friday the 1st April, a female body was recovered from the sea east of Portland Headland, Dorset.

"Police are currently working on the belief that the body is that of 25-year old missing person Rose Polge, from Torquay.

"Devon and Cornwall Police are working with Dorset Police and the Coroner’s Office on this matter, and await the results of the formal identification.

"The family of Ms Polge are aware of this latest development."