A large scale search of the coast around West Kirby was launched last night after reports of a paddle boarder struggling to stay afloat.

The alarm was raised around 10.30pm when members of the public telephoned the coastguard to say they had seen the paddle boarder getting into difficulties around an hour earlier and had he not been seen since.

The RNLI’s inshore rescue boat searched the area from West Kirby Moorings down to the causeway at Thurstaston beach.

Other RNLI volunteers began a search on foot of the shoreline near Marine Lake.

The lifeboat crew then combed the area around Hilbre Islands.

The paddle boarder was not found and the search was called off just after midnight.

West Kirby RNLI lifeboat operations manager Dave Henshaw said: ‘It is now thought the paddle boarder had made his own way to safety without anyone seeing him.

“We would urge anyone planning any sort of sea based activity, particularly if they are going out alone to tell the coastguard their plans, including when they expect to leave the water and then to follow up with a call when they are back on dry land.

“This will eradicate the need for unnecessary concern which as in this case can prompt a large search.”