POLICE have launched a probe into a 'severely damaged' fishing boat which was found 'deliberately run aground and abandoned'.

Coastguards received a report at 10.13am on Friday, April 1, of a vessel which had run aground near The Cobb in Lyme Regis.

The team located the boat, which was severely damaged with the engine still in gear but not running, ashore in Victoria Pool. 

The boat was said to be 'deliberately' run aground and abandoned.

A spokesman for Lyme Regis Coastguard said: "The Lyme Regis Coastguard team was tasked to reports of a vessel that had run aground near The Cobb.

"A small fishing boat was located ashore in Victoria Pool. The hull was severely damaged with the engine still in gear but not running. There were also a number of personal items discarded on the beach including wet inflated life jackets.

"There was also an unlocked vehicle nearby containing fishing rods as well a further wet inflated life jacket. A hasty search of the immediate area was carried out to ensure that nobody was still in the water.

"Dorset Police attended to help try and locate the owner of the car to see if it was related to the abandoned vessel. After a thorough review of all the CCTV and speaking to the last registered car owner, it became apparent that the vessel and car were related.

"There had been an incident involving the boat earlier in the morning which meant the vessel had been deliberately run aground and abandoned but all persons involved were safe and well. Coastguards were stood down and Dorset Police continued their investigation of the incident."