The Coastguard and police helicopters have been circling over the River Itchen for nearly 12 hours.

The helicopters as well as lifeboat crews scoured the river for a missing man after the alarm was raised at 11.20pm on Sunday night.

He had been reported missing to police.

Officers have been searching Southampton throughout the night, alongside HM Coastguard.

Police officers are continuing their search today. 

Helicopters from Lee-on-Solent and St Athan in Wales were deployed to the scene.

The coastguard confirmed Calshot and Cowes RNLI lifeboats, Hamble lifeboat, Portsmouth, Hill Head and Lymington Coastguard Rescue Teams, and South Central Ambulance Service teams also attended.

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A spokesperson from the Cowes RNLI Lifeboat team said: "The lifeboat responded to a pre-dawn emergency this (Monday) morning when it joined in an urgent  search for someone reported to have disappeared off Southampton’s Itchen Bridge.

"Having launched at 5.25am the lifeboat proceeded to relieve Calshot and Hamble lifeboats to painstakingly search the River Itchen from Southampton Water to Northam Bridge, and back again.

"Nothing was found."

National Police Air Service (NPAS) were requested by Hampshire Constabulary to assist with the incident at the Itchen Bridge.

The search by HM Coastguard has now ended and the police helicopter has returned to its base in Bournemouth.

Hampshire Constabulary has been contacted for more information.