POLICE have confirmed a body found in the sea is that of a Southampton graduate doctor who went missing during a shift.

Dr Rose Polge, 25, went missing on February 12, and is said to have left a note referring to health secretary Jeremy Hunt.

She supported strike action taken by junior doctors and supporters taking part in the search for her asked residents to keep looking.

A previous message posted on a social media group dedicated to Dr Polge said: "For the sake of Rose herself, for her family and friends, and for all those who love her and care about her, we must never forget, nor must we give up hope of finding this wonderful, caring and talented young woman."

A woman’s body was recovered from the sea east of Portland Headland in Dorset on April 1, and Devon and Cornwall Police have now confirmed it was Dr Polge.

A police statement says: “Following formal identification, officers have confirmed the woman’s body recovered from the Dorset coast on Friday 1 April is that of Rose Polge.

“Rose’s family have been informed and they request their privacy at this very difficult time.”

Dr Polge's car was discovered in a car park near Anstey's Cove in Torquay, a shingle beach backed by hillside with thick woodland, at 6pm on Friday February 12.

Police officers and divers, with the Coastguard, RNLI and Dartmoor search and rescue, were involved in the hunt for her.

A hoodie found on the beach is understood to have been identified as belonging to Dr Polge.

It also emerged that she had left a note to loved ones before she disappeared.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said at the time: "We would not speculate on any contents of any note."