A MAJOR search was launched in Greeenock this evening after the emergency authorities received reports of a missing person.

The alarm was raised at 7.20pm and saw a search and rescue helicopter repeatedly flying over the Esplanade with its searchlight on.

The police, coastguard rescue teams and Helensburgh RNLI were all involved in the operation.

A coastguard spokesman said: “A thorough search was conducted with nothing found.”

The aircraft involved in the search was stood down just after 9pm following a ‘final sweep’ of the waterfront.