Two hovercraft from Burnham-on-Sea's BARB Search and Rescue were called to Weston beach during the early hours of Saturday morning to carry out a search for a missing person.

A young woman had been reported missing, prompting a search by police, a helicopter, Coastguards, Weston RNLI and BARB Search & Rescue, shortly after 4am.

Coastguards from Weston and Clevedon conducted a foot search of the sands from Uphill to Weston Pier while BARB's Spirit Of Lelaina and Light of Elizabeth hovercrafts, pictured, scoured the tide line and mudflats for the missing teenager.

The high-powered lights on the hovercrafts were used to illuminate a wide area of the beach during the search.

A Coastguard spokesman said: "We were very grateful for the help of BARB in searching a far wider area of the beach than would have otherwise been possible. The girl was not found despite an extensive search lasting several hours and the matter was left in the hands of the police."