Clacton rescue: Search scaled back for missing man, 21, who was swimming off Essex coast

A search operation for a swimmer missing for more than 24 hours off the Essex coast is being scaled back, said police.

Coastguards continued their search for the 21-year-old man around Clacton Pier on Wednesday morning, having searched until midnight on Tuesday.

Five other people were pulled from the water and taken to hospital on Tuesday, as temperatures soared to their highest ever in the UK.

Six people had been reported to be in trouble close to the pier.

On Wednesday afternoon, Essex Police said the coastguard's search was being scaled back.

Officers said they were still attempting to make contact with the family of the 21-year-old man, who was still being treated as a missing person.

Nigel Brown, who works on the pier, said at the time: "Some of the people appeared to get caught up in the tide and they were swept under the pier."

"They were shouting about another person missing."

Essex Police Marine Unit joined the search on Tuesday afternoon along with coastguards.

They continued the search until midnight and coastguards started again at 9am on Wednesday morning.

Shop worker Toni Cloke, who had spent the day at the seafront, said police asked beachgoers to clear the beach as emergency services took a number of people away.

The 47-year-old, of Clacton-on-Sea, said: "I saw four or five people get taken in (by emergency services) then we got asked to clear the beach."

The East of England Ambulance Service said four men and a woman were assessed before being taken to Colchester Hospital. They have since been discharged, said the hospital.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know