THE Coastguard and Isle of Wight Police have made a joint appeal to the public for information for a missing male thought to have got into difficulties while swimming off Cowes.

The alarm was raised with HM Coastguard just before 3pm this afternoon (Saturday) — a report of a male swimmer seen "potentially in difficulty" 400m off the Royal Yacht Squadron.

The male was heading towards Gurnard Bay.

Police have said: "A member of the public saw a man swimming in the sea in Cowes near the Red Funnel breakwater, they then lost sight of him."

Isle of Wight County Press:

Coastguard rescue teams from Bembridge, Ventnor and The Needles, teamed up with RNLI lifeboats from Cowes and Yarmouth, a Coastguard helicopter, Wight Search and Rescue and the Island police, who were all called into a search of the area.

The police added: "On the information I have, there is no confirmation if anyone is missing at sea, or of this person having returned to land and gone on their way.

"The Coastguard have been searching for hours. One of my team is liaising with Coastguard at the scene."

Solent Coastguard say the search is ongoing.

If you have any information, please call Solent Coastguard on 02392-552100, or alternatively, call 999 if urgent.