Missing swimmers' names released

Lee Tompkins, a receptionist, went missing on Tuesday evening

Two swimmers who went missing off the Somerset coast have been named as Dave Ellams and Lee Tompkins.

The pair, who are both in their 30s, were seen struggling with the tide off Weston-super-Mare on Tuesday evening.

A major air sea rescue effort was launched, which has carried on throughout Wednesday, but hopes of finding the two are fading.

A coastguard spokesman said strong currents had swept the men, who both live in Weston, along the coast.

Tristam Newey, from Swansea Coastguard, said: "The temptation was there to go swimming in the sea.

"However the sea itself is very cold. It's no more than 14C - if that.

"And that is an issue in itself because it saps your strength very quickly.

"In terms of their survivability, obviously now a long time has elapsed.

"I think we are more looking at a recovery operation, rather than a rescue now."

Dave Ellams' girlfriend, Aimee Crisp: "You don't expect these things to happen, I still feel numb"