A shipping container was spotted off the coast at Branscombe but a sea fog hampered a search by Beer coastguard.

Reports of the container were received around 7.30pm on March 21 from a beach fisherman but the visibility was down to 25 metres at sea level due to fog.

A coastguard helicopter and a tug searched the area with radar and a beach search from Beer head to Branscombe mouth both found nothing and all units were stood down until first light.

At 5.45am the next morning the coastguard team carried out a visual search and warned local fisherman of the possible danger but nothing was found. A statement said: “Its possible the container had sunk, if that is the case it could be washed ashore on the next storm or we may never see it again!”