Missing swimmers had gone home

Missing swimmers had gone home. Eight swimmers who went missing and sparked a major rescue operation after a sponsored swim in Dorset were confirmed to have gone home and the ninth was also "believed to be safe".

Three lifeboats and a helicopter were called out when the swimmers were reported missing at the Bournemouth Pier to Pier swim.

Participants had been swimming in the 1.4 mile stretch of sea between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

Andy Coles, BHF event organiser said: "We immediately phoned the swimmers and most had simply forgotten to check in and gone home without notifying event organisers.

"We are waiting for confirmation from one last participant who swam with a partner we already know to have completed the event."

The charity are to review their event procedure.