THE bodies of a man and a woman were found in a car parked at a Purbeck country park.

Emergency services were called to Durlston Country Park on Monday morning after reports two people had been found unresponsive in a car.

The ambulance service was first at the scene with land and air ambulance crews called to the scene.

Officers from Dorset Police and firefighters from Swanage also attended.

Police launched an investigation to identify the individuals and the circumstances of their deaths, as well as informing their next of kin.

The road leading to the country park was closed by police for most of the day, with a cordon in place.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: "We were called at 8.17am on Monday, August 3, by the fire service to reports two people had been found unresponsive in a car parked at Durlston County Park on Lighthouse Road, Swanage.

"Officers have attended the incident, along with the ambulance service. The road leading to the country park has been closed and a cordon is in place.

"Very sadly the body of a man and a woman were found inside the vehicle.

"Enquiries are underway to identify the individuals, establish the circumstances of the deaths and inform their next of kin. The coroner has been informed."

On Monday afternoon, a spokesperson for the force said the deceased were a woman aged in her 40s and a man aged in his 50s, with their deaths not being treated as suspicious.

A Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: "Two fire engines from Swanage were called to Durlston Country Park this morning at 8.05am, by colleagues from South Western Ambulance Service.

"Two individuals had been found unresponsive in a vehicle. Firefighters, paramedics and police officers attended the incident. The stop message was received at 10.04am, but firefighters remain on scene supporting other agencies."

A South Western Ambulance Service spokesman added: “South Western Ambulance Service was called on Monday, August 3, at 8am about an incident in the car park at Durlston Country Park, Lighthouse Road, Swanage.

"We sent land and air ambulance crews to attend the incident.”