A hunt on the south coast for a family thought to have leapt from a cross Channel ferry has been stood down.

Coastguards, lifeboats and police were alerted in the early hours of this morning after the family of two men and two women is believed to have jumped from the boat.

One man, thought to be a Russian, was plucked from the water and taken to hospital.

The incident happened at about 1am on the Barfleur ferry which was coming into Poole Harbour, Dorset, from Cherbourg.

The man rescued was picked up from the water by the Sandbanks chain ferry.

After he was interviewed by police and immigration officials the plans to resume the hunt for the others were abandonned.

The incident is now being handled by the UK Border Agency and Dorset Police.