Specialist police are searching in the water after wheelchair found on bank of River Test near Romsey

Solent coast guard, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and police were last night called to help find what was believed to be a disabled person who had gone missing in Romsey.

Today that search has resumed - with officers from Hampshire's marine unit, based at Netley's Force Support and Training HQ, currently wading through the water.

A total of six officers, wearing waders and life jackets, are in the fast flowing stretch of river with water up to their waists.

They are using specialist search equipment to scour under the water and on the river bed.

The search of the River Test, at Mainstone near The Cromwell Arms, began shortly after 9.20pm last night.

Police helicopters circled the area and a cordon was in place across the bridge, from the pub to Middlebridge Street.

Officers from Hampshire police were joined by fire fighters from Hampshire Fire Service along with paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service in a bid to "establish if there's anyone in the river".

Dan Tasker, incident commander last night, said firefighters were conducting the search as far south as Redbridge, with the coastguard searching between Redbridge and The Solent.

A spokesman for the ambulance service last night said: "We were called out at 2123 to reports of a person in the water. We had an ambulance officer and hazardous area response team who are remaining on the scene."

Mary Norton, 76, from Romsey, who was walking her dogs along the river bank this morning, said: "I have often wondered, you don't want to be blown in nor would you want to fall in, but all the years I have lived in Romsey, I have never ever heard of that sort of thing happening.

"The currents are very strong so anything there could be washed down stream."

Martin Robert, 62, from Middlebridge Street, said: "I heard the helicopter at about 9.30pm and looked outside to see the police and fire services arriving.

"They continued to search until after midnight. I spoke to the policeman who said that there was a report of someone n the river.

"I was concerned but they had a lot of people here searching.

"They had fire engines and spotlights set up on the bridge. They were doing a professional job. They reassured me as best they could.

"As far as I am aware, we've never had something like this before."

Police and fire officers left the scene in Romsey this morning, although they have said they will possibly return this afternoon.