PORTISHEAD'S RNLI team responded to reports of a swimmer who "had not returned to the shore" over the weekend.

At around 10.16pm on Sunday, August 6, HM Coastguard received a number of calls from the public after a swimmer did not return to shore after being seen swimming near Clevedon Pier.

Posting on Facebook, a spokesperson from the RNLI Portishead team said: "Our volunteer crew launched at 10.16pm on August 6, as the HM Coastguard had a number of calls from the public reporting that a swimmer had not returned to the shore after seeing them enter the water to swim by Clevedon Pier.

"A person in the water with low sea temperatures is one of the most urgent of calls so the crew made best speed to the pier.

"Working alongside Clevedon Coastguard Rescue Team and Portishead Coastguard Rescue Team, who checked the whole coastline and their rescue helicopter 187 in the air, they all carried out a full search of the whole area including to Ladye Bay and back towards Clevedon Marine Lake once the tide had turned.

"Unfortunately nothing was found so after 90mins of searching the crew were stood down.

"If you plan to go for a swim, what ever time of day, please make yourself visible and use a personal tow float and wear a brightly coloured swim cap.

"This will help any rescue team to see you quickly, particularly when the sea is choppy and with large waves.

"We hope the swimmer made it back to the safety of the shore and this was a call with good intent."

The RNLI work day in, day out to save lives and promote safety around bodies of water.

The charity's website reads: "We provide a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service and a seasonal lifeguard service. Our values reflect the way we do business as an organisation.

"Our lifesaving service is provided wherever possible by volunteers, generously supported by voluntary donations and legacies.

"We value every life and look to prevent loss of life, whoever it may be and wherever they may be in trouble."

For more information, please visit the RNLI Portishead website or keep up to date with their Facebook page.