A POLICE investigation is underway today after a passenger fell from a ferry that set sail from Hampshire.

Officers from Hampshire Constabulary have confirmed they have launched a probe to find out the identity of the person who  has gone missing aboard a ferry bound for France.

A sea search is currently underway in the English Channel.

Belongings were discovered in a cabin on board the Brittany Ferries vessel Mont St Michel after it had docked at Caen.

A spokesman for the ferry company said that an alert had been raised and the Coastguard had launched a search in the English Channel for the missing passenger after the ferry set sail from Portsmouth.

The spokesman said: ''When last night's overnight sailing from Portsmouth to Caen (operated by our ship Mont St Michel) docked at its destination this morning, an unattended bag, passport and other personal effects were discovered in a cabin, suggesting that a passenger may be missing.

''The alert was raised and we are now co-operating with HM Coastguard who are co-ordinating a search in the English Channel.''

A Hampshire Police spokesman said: ''We can confirm a report of a missing passenger from a cross-Channel ferry has been referred to police.

 ''Officers are making initial inquiries to confirm the identity of this person.''

No details of the passenger have yet been released.