A MAJOR emergency response was launched late last night to find a man in the west Dorset area.

Coastguard crews from across west Dorset, a Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew and police were tasked to Charmouth yesterday evening to search for a missing person.

Officers were called to the area around 8pm and later asked for assistance from three coastguard crews and Lyme Regis RNLI lifeboat crew.

A spokesman from Dorset Police said: "We received a report at around 8pm on Monday, July 12 of a missing man in the Charmouth area.

"Officers attended and carried out searches of the area.

"The man was located at around 10.15pm."

A spokesman from West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team said: "At 10,05pm, coastguard rescue teams from West Bay, Lyme Regis and Beer, the Lyme Regis RNLI Lifeboat and Dorset Police were all tasked to Charmouth to search for a missing person thought to be in the area.

"As the teams were travelling to the location, updates were received stating that the person had been located safe and well.

"All resources were then stood down to return to station.

"Have a fantastic time at the coast this summer, but if you find yourself in difficulty, or if you see something that gives you cause for concern then do not hesitate."

Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.