MISSING Bridgwater woman Claire Harris has been found safe and well. 

Claire, who is known by her middle name of Louise, sparked concerns for her welfare as she had not been seen since leaving her home at 5pm on January 12.

An extensive search of Brean Down and Brean beach and dunes was carried out yesterday (January 14) by police, Burnham Coastguard Rescue Team and the BARB hovercraft team.

The search for woman was not successful but she was found safe and well later in the day.


A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "Missing 49-year-old Bridgwater woman Claire Harris has been located and is safe.

"Thanks to everyone who shared our appeal and called in with information."

Burnham Coastguard Rescue Team were called to search for a missing woman. 

Avon and Somerset Police called the coastguard team and BARB Hovercraft at 2pm on January 14 and asked to search Brean Down and Brean beach dunes to search for a missing person known to walk their dog in the area.

A spokesman for Burnham Coastguard Rescue Team said: "BARB Hovercraft was launched with a Coastguard Mud Tech on-board, and the BARB Polaris Off Road Vehicle was also deployed with a Coastguard Rescue Officer (CRO) on-board.

"They performed a search along the beaches and around the sand dunes while the Coastguard Mobile Response Unit (MRU) traveled to Brean Down with the rest of the team and started a foot search of the area.

"The foot search concentrated on the lower road and along to the Fort and the when the Polaris had finished it's search of the beach and dunes made it's way up to Trigg Point, (The highest point of the Down) and along to the Fort also.

"After covering all our search area and with nothing found we were stood down to return to station to clean and restow the equipment."