COASTGUARDS were alert to a UFO (unidentified floating object) in Chesil Cove.

A spoksman for Portland Bill Coastguard Rescue Team said: "The team was tasked by the NMOC (National Maritime Operations Centre) along with Weymouth & Portland Police to a report by a member of the public, of a black object seen floating on the surface of the water approximately 300 metres from the shore.

"With the object being very difficult to identify in the fading light, the NPAS helicopter was tasked to illuminate the area and believed it could be a marker bouy for a string of nets.

"However still with some uncertainty that this was the object first seen, Weymouth Lifeboat ALB was launched to get a closer inspection of the object who confirmed it was a marker bouy.

"Weymouth ALB finished with a search up and down the beach setting of two paraluminances to light up the surrounding area.

"With nothing else found all teams stood down and returned to their station. This was a false alarm with good intent, we thank the member of public for their concerns."