A SEARCH launched on Sunday night for a woman missing from a Condor ferry heading to Poole, is "unlikely" to resume today.

Condor Ferries said the crew of the Condor Rapide had been made aware of a possible missing person at 5.35pm. The vessel was en route to Poole from Guernsey at the time of the incident.

The captain raised a “Pan Pan” alert with the Coastguard – used to signify that there is an urgent situation onboard with no immediate danger to life.

A full search was conducted of the vessel but the woman could not be found. The alert was then upgraded to a Mayday signal.

Condor Rapide searched the area where the passenger was believed to have gone missing. It later resumed its journey to Poole.

One report has suggested the woman is from Bristol.

Portland Coastguard was coordinating the search and along with the Coastguard helicopter and other vessels in the area as well as the French coatguard spent around five hours searching overnight.

A spokesperson from Portland Coastguard said the French coastguard would not be searching today and it is unlikely they would as well.