POLICE are working with the Coastguard to try to trace the owner of a yacht that has run aground on the Somerset coast.

A witness reported seeing the Egoist apparently abandoned at Berrow at 6.30am today (Monday, June 3).

The vessel was seen leaving Watchet Marina on Saturday afternoon.

Police say they are treating it as a missing person enquiry and officers are concerned for the welfare of the owner, David Moore, aged 43.

Burnham-on-Sea RNLI volunteers received an early call this morning, and both lifeboats were launched at around 7.10 am to investigate reports of the grounded yacht in the vicinity of Berrow Church.

A spokesman said: "There being no apparent signs of life on board the casualty vessel, a crewmember from Burnham D Class lifeboat Burnham Reach boarded to investigate.

"After unsuccessful attempts to tow the craft to safety, the rescue was abandoned, and the casualty left under the supervision of a Coastguard Coastal rescue team.

"Both lifeboats returned to Burnham-on-Sea for recovery and wash-down by the volunteer shore crew."

Helmsman Nick Edrich, who was in the D Class, said: "We reached the craft shortly before high water, and after assessment made around half a dozen unsuccessful attempts to tow it clear from the beach.

"We left the yacht under the Coastguard rescue team supervision and returned to Burnham slipway."

Anyone with information that could help is asked to contact police via avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact or by calling 101, quoting reference 5219122957.