POLICE and the coastguard were involved in a multi-agency search operation last night in Saltcoats after reports of a person in the water.

The emergency services had been contacted by a member of the public via a 999 call following an overheard amateur radio conversation which inferred someone may have been in difficulty within the confines of Saltcoats Harbour.

The incident, which occurred around 6.30pm, saw Coastguard and Police attend immediately to search the area for any persons in trouble.

An extensive search was carried out by the Ardrossan Coastguard team and they were assisted by officers from Police Scotland the Police Scotland Air Support Unit.

Upon completion of the search with nothing of note found, and no further information to suggest any person was in difficulty, all resources were stood down.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: "About 6.35pm on Thursday, January 5, Police Scotland were contacted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) after they had received reports of a person having entered Saltcoats Harbour.

"An extensive search was conducted by Police and MCA colleagues which included the use of the Police Scotland Air Support Unit - the search was concluded around 2030 hours with no trace of any person having been within the water."