COASTGUARD officers are reminding the public of safety precautions after they were called to reports of an unexploded device on the weekend - which turned out to be a polystyrene buoy.

On Sunday December 4, at 12.32pm, West Bay Coastguard officers were called out to reports of an unexploded device on the beach below the cliffs at Golden Cap.

A spokesman for West Bay Coastguard said the whole team responded after a member of the public who was out walking had spotted the item.

They took a photograph on their smartphone, noted the approximate location and contacted the police. Four officers from the West Bay team responded to the page.

A spokesman for West Bay Coastguards said: "Due to the remote location of the suspected ordnance and the expected poor communications signals, assistance was requested from the RNLI Lyme Regis Lifeboat.

"Whilst waiting for the lifeboat, two of the Coastguard officers donned flood suits and water rescue equipment and then waded out into the sea to meet the approaching lifeboat."

The lifeboat transported the officers to the under-cliffs of Golden Cap where they were dropped off close to the beach. Once ashore, the officers started searching in the area where the item was thought to be. After about 40 minutes, the Officers found the item nestled against the base of the cliff.

One of the Officers inspected the item and took photo’s whilst the other provided safety cover from a safe distance.

The spokesman said: "On approach, the item did appear to be the size and shape of a shell, but closer inspection revealed that it was hollow inside and appeared to be made of polystyrene.

"Happy that there was no risk to the officers or members of the public, the item was removed to prevent any further callouts."

Officers then stood down to return to station.

The spokesman added: "Ordnance often washes up on our shores especially on the south coast and the member of the public did the right thing by calling the Coastguard.

"If you do find a suspicious item on the beach, do not touch or disturb it. "Remember or mark the location of the item as best you can, get away from the area, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

"Thanks goes out to the crew of the RNLI Lyme Regis Lifeboat for supporting us during this operation."