Searches ongoing after sea swimmers in difficulty

A significant emergency service response has begun after reports of a number of people getting into difficulty in the water off the Devon coast.

Police were called at 10:25 GMT to the beach at Budleigh Salterton after concern was raised for people in the water.

A number of people have been safely brought back to shore and will be checked by paramedics, Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said Exmouth and Beer Coastguard Rescue teams, RNLI lifeboats from Exmouth and Torbay, and coastguard search and rescue helicopters have been sent to the scene to assist, alongside police and the ambulance service.