Poor weather was hampering the search on Sunday for a young British diver missing off the coast of Sydney, Australia.

Police said there were "grave" concerns for the safety of the 24-year-old woman from London who went missing during a scuba-diving trip off Sydney's Bondi Beach.

A search began following her disappearance at 2345 GMT on Friday, but poor weather has been hampering ongoing efforts.

Three men diving alongside the woman are in a serious condition in hospital following the incident.

A police spokeswoman said: "There were 10 scuba divers and a supervisor who were taking part in a shore dive off Ben Buckler Point at Bondi Beach.

Hospital airlift

"During the dive one of the males in the party suffered the symptoms of the bends and indicated he was trouble. He was helped to the shore and airlifted to hospital.

"Two other divers came to the surface suffering from hyperventilation and were also transferred to hospital.

"A 24-year-old British woman did not surface. An air and sea search was launched, but nothing was found.

"Obviously, as time goes on there is grave concern for her safety."

The identity of the woman is not being released until her relatives have been informed.

An investigation into the circumstances of the trip has begun.