Two men are believed to be missing in the water off a beach in Devon, after a number of people were reported to be in difficulty.
Emergency services were called to Budleigh Salterton at 10.25am on Christmas Day following concerns for people in the water.
A number of people were safely recovered to shore, with two checked by paramedics and one taken to hospital by ambulance as a precaution.
A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall police said:
“The next of kin of one man have been spoken to. Enquiries to speak to the family of the second man are ongoing; however, a local friend has been informed as part of these efforts.
“A significant amount of emergency service personnel were deployed to the incident and we ask that people do not enter the water for public safety reasons – due to the current weather warnings we ask that this is the case today and for any Boxing Day swims.”
In a statement, the Coastguard said its search was stood down at 5pm.
A spokesperson said: “Alerted at around 10am, Exmouth and Beer Coastguard Rescue Teams, RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth, Teignmouth and Torbay and coastguard search and rescue helicopters and fixed wing aircraft were sent to the scene to assist, alongside police and ambulance service.
“Searches have continued throughout the day to find two men believed to still be in the water. After extensive shoreline and offshore searches, the coastguard part of the search was stood down at 5pm.”
A number of Christmas and Boxing Day swims in Devon and Cornwall were cancelled this year because of a yellow weather warning for wind.
The Met Office warned of “strong and gusty east to northeasterly winds” from 4am until 11.59pm on Christmas Day in parts of the south-west of England and Wales.
It said peak gusts would reach 45 to 55mph but these could reach 55 to 65mph along some exposed coasts and to the west of prominent hills.
Disruption could be caused to transport and power supplies, the forecaster said.
It added: “Large waves will be an additional hazard on some coasts.”
Anyone with information which may assist in the search for the swimmers should contact Devon and Cornwall police by calling 101 or through the force’s website, quoting log number 191 of 25 December.