The Plymouth RNLI all-weather lifeboat was launched on Christmas Day after reports that a man had gone into the sea at Bovisand Beach and had not returned.

With the light fading and conditions deteriorating, a number of people had called 999 to express their concern.

When the crew arrived they launched the smaller Y-Class lifeboat from the main boat and carried out a thorough shore line search in conjunction with the Yealm and Plymouth Coastguard Rescue Teams.

Nothing was found and the lifeboat returned to Plymouth at 7.40pm