A MISSING man was found in Ventnor last night following a widespread search involving the police helicopter.

Concerns had been raised for the man last night and the National Police Air Service helicopter was deployed for a couple of hours, concentrating its search over the Ventnor and Ventnor Downs areas.

Police announced in the early hours the man had been found but was injured and in need of medical treatment.

He was taken to St Mary's Hospital.

The search was a joint operation between the Isle of Wight Police, including the dog section, volunteers from WightSAR (Search and Rescue) the NPAS police helicopter, with the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service.

Sgt Radford said: "We attended a report of a missing person. Due to the circumstances they were graded as high risk. The light was fading and the location in Ventnor was difficult.

"Officers and WightSAR spent a few hours searching fields and the surrounding area. Thankfully the person was located. They were injured and needed medical treatment and have been taken to hospital.

"A big shout out to WightSAR who are all volunteers and without them it would have been very challenging."