Teenage diver search called off

The 14-year-old boy was diving off Berry Head with his father

The search for a 14-year-old diver missing off Devon has been called off.

Helicopters, lifeboats and teams of police divers have been searching for the boy off Berry Head in Torbay since the alarm was raised at 1315 BST.

The teenage boy, who was diving with his father, disappeared when the pair were surfacing.

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokeswoman said darkness had fallen and units were being returned to base after completing their search areas.

"Nothing has been found after eight hours solid searching, but we will be liaising with police overnight," the spokeswoman added.

It's not good news, but at least we know we tried our best Simon James, Torbay inshore lifeboat

Simon James, second mechanic on Torbay's inshore lifeboat, told BBC News the eight-hour search had been emotional one for everyone.

"It's a young child and with both his parents there on the scene it did spur us on.

"We'd have liked a better result. It's not good news, but at least we know we tried our best."

The alarm was raised by a vessel called Jennifer Ann, made a distress call on the dive boat's behalf, as it did not have a VHF radio onboard.

The father and son were diving from a dive rigid inflatable boat and began to come up together.

When they were 10 metres from the surface, the teenager signalled to his father he was OK, but when the man reached the surface he could not see his son.

The search has involved helicopters from RNAS Culdrose, RMB Chivenor and RNLI lifeboats from Brixham, Teignmout, Salcombe.

A relief all weather Mersey class boat which was travelling to Brixham after a refit in Falmouth was also involved.