A major search was launched for a man believed to have vanished off the coast.

At 3.30pm yesterday, police were contacted by the coastguard following a report they had received by a member of the public expressing concern for a man seen sitting at the edge of the Solway at Allonby.

A short time later the person reported that they could not see the man.

Police assisted the coastguard in a thorough search operation throughout the afternoon and evening.

Inquiries found no further evidence of a man in the water or any similar sighting.

Officers want to hear from anyone who may have also witnessed a man in the water between 3pm and 3.30pm.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 165 of August 4.