Two callouts regarding concerns for people’s welfare are thought to have been "hoax calls", according to the coastguard.

Emergency services were alerted to potential casualties at Lyme Regis Beach today and on Saturday.

This morning, Lyme Regis coastguards were called, along with West Bay coastguard rescue team and South Western Ambulance Service, to help Dorset Police and Avon and Somerset Police with a concern for welfare for a woman in the area of the Marine Parade in Lyme Regis.

Police stood down once the ambulance service attended and the coastguard was informed.

A full search of the area was completed however no casualty was found.

It came after coastguards also received a callout at 6.59pm on Saturday in the same area to help South Western Ambulance service with a possible casualty. A full search was conducted but no one was found.

Both of these calls are suspected to have been hoax calls, according to the Lyme Regis coastguard.

A spokesperson said: “Callout 42: On June 8 at 6.59pm we were tasked to assist South Western Ambulance service with a possible casualty on Lyme Regis beach. A full search was completed with no casualty found.

“On Monday, June 6 at 7.51am, we were tasked with West Bay Coastguard Rescue Team and South Western Ambulance Service to assist Dorset Police & Avon and Somerset Police with a potential casualty on Lyme Regis beach. A full search completed with no casualty found.

“The similarity to callout 42 suggests both may be hoax calls.”

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "We received a report at 7.11am raising concern for the welfare of a woman believed to be in the area of Marine Parade in Lyme Regis.

"We were advised that the ambulance service was dealing with the incident and that the coastguard had been made aware, and there was no requirement for police attendance."