EXMOUTH coastguards were in the early hours of Thursday morning tasked to investigate reports a boat was on fire.

EXMOUTH coastguards were in the early hours of Thursday morning tasked to investigate reports a boat was on fire.

The coastguard team was told the vessel was on fire south of Exmouth.

A Portland coastguard spokesperson said: "On arriving on scene the coastguards were able to establish that the vessel, which was one of a number anchored in Lyme Bay, was showing deck lights which shimmered in the darkness appearing to look like flames. "With nothing untoward they were returned to station.