POLICE searching for a man who abandoned his car at Mudeford, have found a body at Hengistbury Head.

The discovery was made on Sunday evening by a member of the public.

A search was launched for the driver on Saturday morning, after his abandoned car was found unlocked with the keys inside at Mudeford Quay.

The Mudeford RNLI lifeboat, the police helicopter, coastguard teams and several police cars were involved in the search for the driver of the vehicle.

A pair of glasses and a coat were also discovered on the quayside on Saturday.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "At 6.39am on Saturday 23 May 2015 Dorset Police received a report of an abandoned insecure vehicle at Mudeford Quay in Christchurch. The vehicle is registered to a man from Southampton.

"A search of the area was carried out by officers from Dorset Police, assisted by the NPAS helicopter and HM Coastguard.

"At 9.25pm on Sunday 24 May 2015, the body of a managed in his 70s was found in the water at  (see map below) by a member of public."

The spokesman continued: "The man’s next of kin have been informed and the coroner notified. The death is not being treated as suspicious.

"Enquiries are now being conducted by officers from Dorset Police and Hampshire Police on behalf of HM Coroner."