A boat remains on a west Dorset beach today after apparently slipping its moorings and running aground.

People have told of their surprise after seeing the vessel on the main Front Beach in Lyme Regis.

Sometime before 5.15pm on Saturday, the sailing boat ran aground on Front Beach. It was still there on Sunday morning.

Coastguard teams from Lyme Regis and Beer were called to provide safety cover for the vessel, a 40ft yacht.

Nobody was on board at the time.

One person suggested it had come loose from its moorings just off the Cobb and drifted onto the beach, although this could not be confirmed.

They added: "I was surprised to see it washed ashore."

Steve Roberts said on social media: "Someone has not had a good day in Lyme Regis."

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: A boat has ran aground on Lyme Regis beach

Picture: Steve Roberts

Beer Coastguard said: "Tasked to assist Lyme Regis Coastguard with a vessel ashore.

"We didn't quite expect a 40 foot yacht.

"It was confirmed no persons onboard and that it had broken its mooring.

"Once the owner was present, with no danger to life and with a dropping tide with no chance of getting it towed off, it was left with them to arrange recovery of the yacht."

A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "Lyme Regis and Beer Coastguard Rescue Teams have been sent to provide safety cover to a small vessel aground on Lyme Regis beach.

"HM Coastguard was first informed at approximately. 5.15pm of a vessel aground. Teams confirmed no one was aboard and that no one was in danger."

The harbour master refused to comment and referred the News to Dorset Council.