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Coastguard search for missing man off Solway Coast

Billy McCrorie A view across Wigtown Bay in the south of Scotland with grass and trees in the foreground and low water in the distanceBilly McCrorie
The coastguard was called to reports of an overdue vessel in the Wigtown Bay area

A search is being carried out off the Solway Coast for a 72-year-old man who has gone missing while sailing in the area.

HM Coastguard was called out to reports of a missing dinghy off Wigtown Bay on Tuesday at about 19:00.

Rescue teams from Ballantrae, Isle of Whithorn, Kirkcudbright, Portling, Stranraer and Portpatrick were sent alongside a search and rescue helicopter from Prestwick and Kirkcudbright RNLI lifeboat.

Police were also called out to the incident. The coastguard said the search was suspended at about 01:00 on Wednesday but it has since resumed.

Police Scotland said officers were called out at about 20:05 on Tuesday to help the search for the man who had been sailing in the Fleet Bay area earlier in the afternoon.

A spokesperson said: "Officers are working with partner agencies including coastguard and ongoing searches are being carried out."