Boy, 14, missing after swimming in the River Mersey with friends

A huge police search is underway after a 14-year-old schoolboy went missing while swimming in the River Mersey.

The teenager disappeared at around 7pm last night after becoming separated from his friends off Crosby Beach.

The group were said to have been swimming in the river close to the radar tower when the boy became lost.

A massive search and rescue operation is now under way between the beach and marine lake after a coastguard helicopter was spotted yesterday night.

A reporter at the scene for the Liverpool Echo said: 'By my count, there are five ambulance vehicles, six fire engines and at least three police vehicles in the vicinity.

'More are stationed further along the beach and a coastguard helicopter has been circling.'

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: 'Just after 7pm emergency services received a report of a concern for safety of a 14-year-old boy who had gone swimming in the River Mersey , near to the radar tower with a group of friends. 

'His friends had come out of the river but had become separated from him and he has not been seen since.

'The incident is ongoing and Crosby beach near to the radar tower has been cordoned off. 

'We are asking people to avoid the area at this time, whilst the emergency services, including the coastguard and North West Ambulance Service, continue searching for the missing boy.'