Search for sea angler called off

An RAF helicopter and lifeboats joined the rescue operation

A major air and sea search for an angler who was swept out to sea near Aberdeen has been called off.

An RAF Lossiemouth helicopter joined two lifeboats and coastguard teams in the search early on Friday morning but the man was not found.

He was wearing a waterproof jacket but no flotation equipment.

The man, believed to be Polish, had been fishing from rocks at Altens, south of Aberdeen. A companion raised the alarm at about 0615 GMT.

The RAF helicopter crew had been using night vision equipment to sweep the area while three coastguard teams searched the shoreline.

Coastguards said the thorough search had found nothing.

Aberdeen Coastguard Watch Manager George Downie confirmed: "The angler's friend raised the alarm and the missing male is wearing a waterproof jacket but no flotation device."