Police are continuing to search the coastline in West Cumbria after the disappearance of a Cockermouth man.

The major and and sea search was launched yesterday morning after belongings were found at the end of the pier near Workington harbour.

The search is continuing today between Workington and Mawbray Banks.

Officers last night launched an appeal in a bid to trace 35-year-old David Brannigan, of Cockermouth, who was  last seen on Friday.

He is described as white, of medium build, 6ft tall, with cropped, light brown hair. He has tattoos on both arms, a finger and on an ankle.

Around 100 people from the police, coastguard, lifeboat and rescue boat volunteer crews and two vessels from the Robin Rigg offshore wind farm joined the search.

Inspector Richard Smillie said: “Articles found by a member of the public near to the shore at 10am led police to believe that Mr Brannigan may have entered the water.

"We are therefore carrying out a thorough search of the area as a precaution.

“However, there is no confirmation that he has gone into the water and we are appealing to anyone who may have seen Mr Brannigan today, or who has any information, to get in touch.

"We also urge Mr Brannigan to let police know you are safe and well if you see this appeal."

Coastguard divers have searched the area close to the building that marks the Workington end of the C2C cycle route.

A police underwater search team has also been involved.

Coastguard officers have scoured cliffs and rocky areas and dog handlers have been also involved in land searches.

Crime scene investigators were at the scene yesterday to rule out any suspicious circumstances.

A drone has been used to try and cover a larger area.

In a 5.20pm update on their Facebook page, Whitehaven Coastguard wrote that after an extensive search found nothing, they had been 'stood down'.

Anyone with information about Mr Brannigan should call police on 101.