Search stood down after reports of man overboard on Larne-Cairnryan ferry

A major search operation has been stood down after a man was reported overboard from a P&O passenger ferry travelling between Larne and Cairnryan.

HM Coastguard said it responded to reports of the incident at around 13:21 GMT on Thursday afternoon.

A spokesperson said Larne and Portmuck Coastguard Rescue Teams and RNLI Lifeboats from Larne and Donaghadee were deployed, as well as an HM Coastguard rescue helicopter to the operation.

"After extensive and thorough searches, the search has been stood down with nothing found at this time," the spokesperson said.

In a statement earlier on Thursday, P&O Ferries said: "We can confirm that an incident has occurred onboard the European Highlander while the vessel was sailing to Larne".

Larne RNLI said it was requested to launch its all-weather lifeboat at 13:25 GMT following a report of a missing person.

They said Donaghadee RNLI was also later requested and joined the search at 14:25 GMT, as well as assistance from a coastguard helicopter and other vessels in the area.