THE search for an RSPCA inspector from Wirral reported missing after helping birds stranded on rocks during Storm Imogen has been called off.

Mike Reid has not been seen since going to the aid of around 30 gannets stranded on rocks at Portchapel Beach, near Penzance on Sunday afternoon.

The alarm was raised when he failed to return home from duty.

The RSPCA had been working alongside Devon and Cornwall Police and the Coastguard in their search for Mr Reid, originally from West Kirby, who lived in Redruth, Cornwall.

But this afternoon the Maritime & Coastguard Agency confirmed the search had been called off.

Devon & Cornwall police said Mr Reid was still classed as a missing person but no active searches currently being conducted.

A spokeswoman for the Maritime & Coastguard Agency said: "UK Coastguard and Devon and Cornwall Police resumed their search for the missing man in the Porthcurno area today.

"Land's End and Penzance Coastguard Rescue Teams, the RNLI Penlee lifeboat, Devon and Cornwall Police and the Police helicopter have conducted a comprehensive land and sea search in the area and nothing has been found.

"The searches for today have been completed and we have called off any future searches until further information becomes available." 

At the time of his disappearance there were strong gusts of winds, with the nearest weather station to Penzance clocking wind speeds of around 45mph at the time he took the call.

Dermot Murphy, the RSPCA's assistant director for the Inspectorate, said: "Mike has dedicated more than 30 years of his life to the cause close to his heart.

"His disappearance while doing the job he loved is a tragedy."

The charity's acting chief executive David Canavan said: "I am heartbroken at Mike's disappearance.

"Our frontline officers face many challenges and Mike has always shown courage and compassion in his determination to do his duty to help animals in need.

"Today it is the turn of the RSPCA family to offer our support to Mike’s family, friends and colleagues during these darkest of days.

"I would like to offer our sincere thanks to the thousands of people who have sent messages of support for Mike, his family and his RSPCA colleagues during this time."

Mr Reid is 5ft 8ins tall, of stocky build and with short greying spiked hair.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 999 quoting reference 106 of February 8.