Looe RNLI responded to what turned out to be a false alarm on Friday evening.

Crews were paged following reports of a male in difficulties on rocks to the west of Talland beach.

Within six minutes the D Class inshore lifeboat Ollie Naismith was leaving Looe heading towards Talland.

On arrival the crew spoke to a kayaker who informed them there was a male on the rocks waving to attract his attention as he thought a seabird was trapped on a marker flag close by.

With no-one in sight the crew made their way to the beach to speak to the first informant who confirmed they had seen a male waving frantically at the same location.

After another check of the rocks to establish no-one was in trouble the crew were stood down and returned to Looe.

Volunteer helm of the inshore lifeboat Dave Jackman said the first informants did the right thing in calling the coastguard after seeing what they thought from a distance was someone in trouble.

‘We would always rather launch and not be needed, than not be called and learn that someone was really in danger. Anyone who has concerns about people along the coast should act promptly and call 999 to alert the Coastguard,’ he said.