A MASSIVE rescue operation was launched after a woman called police to say her husband was drowning in the sea in Somerset.

The caller's phone cut out during the 999 call requesting assistance in the water near Brean Down late on Friday night.

The Marine Rescue Control Centre in Milford Haven tasked lifeboats from Weston-super-Mare and Barry Dock, as well as Burnham-on-Sea and the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter to the scene.

Coastguard rescue teams from Burnham-on-Sea and Weston-super-Mare were also sent to the location to check for any signs of people on the water or nearby.

A Burnham-on-Sea Coastguard Rescue Team spokesperson said: "We split the teams we had into groups, one searched the top of Brean Down in case anyone was there.

"A foot team did a hasty shoreline search looking for footprints and any physical evidence of people in the area.

"The fresh tide leaves a blank canvas as it recedes and the time of the call would mean they were below the high water mark.

"The second vehicle did a slow and steady sweep of the beach with full lights and torches and after liaising with the Avon and Somerset Police they said a phone ping had established the last known position further south around the South Road car park area.

"We relocated to that area so our Officer In Charge could keep close contact with the police and while doing so requested that BARB Search and Rescue - Burnham-on-Sea hovercraft were tasked to commence a search of the newly exposed beach and mud flats.

"As the searches continued into the night, with the water and air assets stepping outwards into deeper water and busily carrying out the search patterns given by the Coastguard control room in Milford Haven, we continued our searches and gathered more information from the police.

"Our Coastguard teams expanded the search to Burnham and one of the BARB Hovercraft were diverted to cover that section also.

"With the possible drift area covered and exceeded by all units and with nothing found and no more information or persons reported missing the search was eventually called off by our control room and all units were stood down and returned to their respective stations - a return home at 2am (on Saturday)."

The authorities are keen to speak to the woman who made the initial 999 call or would like to hear from anyone with any information.

The spokesperson added: "We hope that the people concerned were able to get out of the water and have returned home safely.

"All Coastguard teams, Police and other assets worked tirelessly to maximise the chance of being found if they were in the water and worked in complete tandem with each other.

"A fine example of multiple agencies and rescue teams working together and our Officer In Charge extends thanks to each and every one of the people who attend."