Police Hunt Pair Over Cadet Beheading Threat

Police are searching for two men after female army cadets reported they were threatened with beheading outside an Army Reserve centre.

Officers have released a photograph of the men in a silver Opel Zafira outside the centre in Gateshead.

The occupants of the car are thought to have asked the two teenagers "Are you in the Army?", before shouting threats as they drove past in Alexandra Road.

The alleged reference to beheading has chilling echoes of the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby who was attacked in Woolwich, London, in May 2013.

Northumbria Police have stepped up patrols in the area, following the threats at 9.15pm on Wednesday, 21 January.

They have also warned other Army Reserve centres - formerly the Territorial Army - to be on their guard.

Police have traced the car, which is left-hand drive and appears to have foreign plates.

Lee Rigby was murdered near an Army barracks in Woolwich

The driver is described as black or Asian, in his 40s, and of plump or muscular build with a black bushy beard and wearing dark clothes.

The passenger is also said to be black or Asian, in his 30s, and had short black hair and stubble.

Gateshead Superintendent Richie Jackson said: "The men made no attempt to make any physical contact with the girls or get out of the car, and shouted the comments while driving away from the scene.

"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the exact nature of what was said during the incident and we have spoken to the two teenage girls, viewed CCTV footage from the area and have identified the vehicle and inquiries are ongoing to trace the driver.

"As a precaution we have notified staff at other Army Reserve centres in the area and have had extra officers on patrol in Alexandra Road to reassure residents.

Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale were jailed for Lee Rigby's murder

"Although this is concerning, it is an isolated incident and if anyone has any information that could help us with the investigation I'd ask that they contact us on 101."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We are aware of an incident allegedly involving members of the Army Cadet Force - this is a matter for the police and we cannot comment further.

"Any witnesses are urged to contact the police.

"We understand the girls were not in uniform at the time of the incident."

Fusilier Rigby was killed near the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, while off duty.

Killers Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale set about him with knives and a cleaver, hacking him to death.

The pair were found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in jail.

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Patients 'Failed' By NHS Complaints System

A health watchdog has accused the NHS of letting down patients who complain about their care.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's investigation looked into 150 complaints regarding allegations that patients had died or suffered avoidable harm because of failings in their care.

It found that 28 of the 150 cases should have been investigated by the NHS as a Serious Untoward Incident (SUI), which is triggered to allow doctors to learn from past mistakes.

But in the vast majority of these cases (71%) the hospital failed to carry out an SUI.

Families interviewed for the review complained they felt "belittled" and "misled" by medical staff who failed to listen to their concerns or give them straight answers.

Video: NHS Shake-Up 'Disastrous'

Patients groups said the findings are "worrying" and suggest the lessons from recent hospital scandals have not been learnt.

Ombudsman Dame Julie Mellor said: "Investigations weren't carried out when they should have been and when they were carried out they did not find out or explain why failings happened.

"When people make a complaint that they have been seriously harmed they should expect it to be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated."

In one case highlighted, a one-day-old baby, identified only as Baby F, was left with permanent brain damage because two doctors and a nurse made "serious mistakes" during blood transfusions.

Video: Row Over Hospital Major Incidents

But the hospital's SUI investigation was "fundamentally flawed and did not identify glaring errors in the conduct and recording of the transfusion and ignored obvious explanations for what happened", the ombudsman found.

Dr Katherine Rake, chief executive of Healthwatch England, said: "Our research shows that tens of thousands of people every year are being failed by the NHS and yet never report it because they have no faith the complaints system will make any difference.

"Even worse, fewer than half of those that do find the energy and courage to raise their concerns ever hear the words 'I'm sorry'.

"What we need is a complete overhaul of the complaints system that ensures every incident is properly investigated and learnt from, and that those affected are treated with the dignity they deserve."

Video: Five Challenges To Fix A&E

A Department of Health spokesman said the NHS acknowledges that "listening to patients and staff is absolutely vital to improving care".

He added: "That's why we've made hospitals legally obliged to apologise to patients when mistakes do happen, introduced complaints handling as a crucial element of tougher hospital inspections and asked Robert Francis to produce an independent report on how to create a more open NHS culture."

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British Army Seeks To Recruit More Muslim Troops

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

More must be done to recruit soldiers from ethnic minorities and in particular the Muslim community, the Head of the British Army has admitted.

General Sir Nicholas Carter, who took up the role of Chief of the General Staff last year, said that ethic minority representation in the military is "nowhere near where it needs to be".

"We have to do more. My highest priority is ensuring we continue to have the best possible talent throughout our Army," he said.

Figures released by the Ministry of Defence reveal there are only 480 Muslims serving in Army.

That is only 0.54% of the total regular force of 88,500. Moreover, not all of those Muslims are British - some joined from Commonwealth countries.

Overall, all ethnic minorities - including black, Asian, Sikh, Hindu and Fijian people - make up less than 10% of the force.

The military's Islamic Religious Advisor welcomed General Carter's comments.

"In my view, the values of the Armed Forces are fully compatible with the values of Islam as well as other faiths," said Imam Asim Hafiz.

"Anybody wishing to pursue a career in the Services, Regular or Reserve, and is prepared to work hard can be assured of a very rewarding experience."

Senior figures in the military and Ministry of Defence recognise that conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have led to negative perceptions of the military in Muslim communities.

General Carter wants that to change through closer interaction and engagement with ethnic minority communities.

"Our recruitment from the black, Asian and minority ethnic communities has been improving over the years, but it is nowhere near where it needs to be," General Carter said.

"The values and standards we espouse resonate closely with these communities and there is much common ground that we can build on to broaden our recruitment base."

To that end, the Army has launched an Armed Forces Muslim Forum to bring military and civil communities together.

It is also working to create a Muslim Peace Garden to commemorate Muslims killed in the armed forces.

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Govt NHS Reforms 'Wasted' Billions Of Pounds

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The report is critical of the Government's 'distracting' health reforms

The Government has wasted billions of pounds on "damaging" NHS reforms which could have been spent on patient care, a leading think tank has claimed.

According to The King's Fund, "misguided" organisational changes introduced by the coalition have left the health service facing heightened financial pressure.

The critique is due to be published in a two-part report titled The NHS Under The Coalition Government. 

It focuses on the controversial reforms led by former health secretary Andrew Lansley in the early period of the coalition.

"Historians will not be kind in their assessment of the coalition government's record on NHS reform," The King's Fund chief executive Chris Ham said.

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"The first three years of the coalition Government were wasted years because of the misguided focus on organisational changes that only recently has been compensated by this renewed emphasis on safety, quality and greater integration of care.

"Billions of pounds will have been wasted on those misguided reforms.

"The NHS therefore at the end of the parliament is experiencing both financial pressures and challenges in hitting targets that matter to patients because time, effort and money that should have been spent on patient care has been diverted into complex organisational changes."

As a result patients are being affected by a "declining performance" from the health service, particularly on waiting time targets, Mr Ham added.

The report was less critical of the coalition's approach to the NHS under Mr Lansley's successor Jeremy Hunt. 

It said: "Since September 2012, Jeremy Hunt has taken the lead on damage limitation, studiously by ignoring many of the reforms promoted by his predecessor and staking his claim as the defender of patients' interests in the wake of the Francis report into failures of care at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust."

It also said claims of "widespread privatisation" were exaggerated.

Responding to the report, Mr Lansley said The King's Fund had been "silent on the question of whether patient care has been improved, on which the evidence is clear.

"When I was health secretary, year-long waiting times were eliminated, hospital infections dropped to their lowest levels ever, and thousands of lives were saved, and continue to be saved from improved care," he said.

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We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

The report is critical of the Government's 'distracting' health reforms

The Government has wasted billions of pounds on "damaging" NHS reforms which could have been spent on patient care, a leading think tank has claimed.

According to The King's Fund, "misguided" organisational changes introduced by the coalition have left the health service facing heightened financial pressure.

The critique is due to be published in a two-part report titled The NHS Under The Coalition Government. 

It focuses on the controversial reforms led by former health secretary Andrew Lansley in the early period of the coalition.

"Historians will not be kind in their assessment of the coalition government's record on NHS reform," The King's Fund chief executive Chris Ham said.

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1. Gallery: When Should You Go To A&E?

   Unresponsive - Loss of consciousness

Confusion - Acute confused state and fits that are not stopping

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Chest Pain - Persistent, severe chest pain

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Airways - Breathing difficulties

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Life-Threatening - Severe bleeding which cannot be stopped

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"The first three years of the coalition Government were wasted years because of the misguided focus on organisational changes that only recently has been compensated by this renewed emphasis on safety, quality and greater integration of care.

"Billions of pounds will have been wasted on those misguided reforms.

"The NHS therefore at the end of the parliament is experiencing both financial pressures and challenges in hitting targets that matter to patients because time, effort and money that should have been spent on patient care has been diverted into complex organisational changes."

As a result patients are being affected by a "declining performance" from the health service, particularly on waiting time targets, Mr Ham added.

The report was less critical of the coalition's approach to the NHS under Mr Lansley's successor Jeremy Hunt. 

It said: "Since September 2012, Jeremy Hunt has taken the lead on damage limitation, studiously by ignoring many of the reforms promoted by his predecessor and staking his claim as the defender of patients' interests in the wake of the Francis report into failures of care at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust."

It also said claims of "widespread privatisation" were exaggerated.

Responding to the report, Mr Lansley said The King's Fund had been "silent on the question of whether patient care has been improved, on which the evidence is clear.

"When I was health secretary, year-long waiting times were eliminated, hospital infections dropped to their lowest levels ever, and thousands of lives were saved, and continue to be saved from improved care," he said.

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GP Patients To Be Asked For Proof Of Nationality

Patients will have to prove their nationality when registering for a GP following a fresh crackdown on migrants accessing the NHS.

The Department of Health plans to launch pilots of the scheme later this year, in an effort to help recover the costs of primary care for migrants from their home countries.

According to GPs' magazine Pulse, everyone enrolling at the surgeries in the 10 areas involved in the pilots will be asked for a valid European Health Insurance Card, which entitles holders to state-provided healthcare in European Economic Area (EEA) countries

A  spokesperson for the DoH said: "We are absolutely committed to improving the way the NHS recovers costs from international visitors for primary care.

"We're now planning to pilot different ways of doing this effectively without burdening busy GPs."

Health tourism is estimated to cost the UK around £2bn each year despite the fact that only residents with "indefinite leave to remain" in the country are entitled to free healthcare.

Pulse reports that the General Practicioners Committee (GPC) is working with the DoH on the plans.

It adds that a GPC briefing paper under the heading of "charging for primary care" says the Government will launch two new consultations in the spring.

According to Pulse, the note says: "Two consultations will be launched in the Spring to look further at extensions to charging.

"There are plans to start an EHIC pilot in primary care, to encourage the collection of EHICs, increase identification of chargeable patients and increase the engagement of GPs with the cost-recovery programme generally.

"GPC will be involved with a view to starting the pilot as early as possible."

Health secretary Jeremy Hunt announced plans last year to charge 150% of the cost to patients from outside the EU who seek NHS treatment.

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E-Cigarettes Are Harmful To Lungs - Study

E-cigarettes contain toxic chemicals which could damage the lungs and immune system, scientists have discovered.

Experiments carried out on mice found e-cigarette fumes harmed the animals' lungs and made them more susceptible to respiratory infections.

Chemicals generated by the nicotine devices also weakened the immune system's response to viruses and bacteria, causing some mice to die.

Researchers found e-cigarette vapour contains "free radical" toxins similar to those found in air pollution and cigarette smoke.

Although the study said they generated just 1% of the amount of free radicals in tobacco smoke, these molecules can damage DNA and cell membranes.

The study was carried out by scientists at John Hopkins University in Baltimore.

Professor Shyam Biswai said: "Our findings suggest that e-cigarettes are not neutral in terms of the effects on the lungs.

E-cigarette sales could overtake cigarette sales in the US within 10 years

"We have observed that they increase the susceptibility to respiratory infections in the mouse models.

"This warrants further study in susceptible individuals, such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder) patients who have switched from cigarettes to e-cigarettes, or to new users of e-cigarettes who may have never used cigarettes."

The study exposed mice to e-cigarette vapour equivalent to doses inhaled by humans for a period of two weeks.

Researchers then infected the mice with pneumonia bacteria or the flu virus.

The results showed the infected mice were far more likely to develop a weakened immune system.

Co-author of the report Dr Thomas Sussan said: "E-cigarette vapour alone produced mild effects on the lungs, including inflammation and protein damage.

"However, when this exposure was followed by a bacterial or viral infection, the harmful effects of e-cigarette exposure became even more pronounced.

"The e-cigarette exposure inhibited the ability of mice to clear the bacteria from their lungs, and the viral infection led to increased weight loss and death, indicative of an impaired immune response."

Results of the study have been published in the online journal Public Library of Science ONE.

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One In Two Britons Will Get Cancer, Say Experts

By David Bowden, Senior Correspondent

One in two people in the UK will get cancer at some point in their lives, according to the latest forecast by experts.

Cancer Research UK announced the new figure - which replaces the longstanding previous estimate of one in three - as it warned the country faces a "crisis" if it does not plan ahead.

The charity says the increase in cases is largely attributed to people living longer, but that the number of people surviving the disease has never been higher.

Professor Peter Sasieni, from Queen Mary University of London, is the author of the study published in the British Journal of Cancer that produced the figure.

"Cancer is a disease of old age," he said.

Video: 25 Cancer Treatments Cut In England

"The longer you live the more likely you are to get cancer and we think two thirds of the increase is because of increased longevity, the other third is because cancer rates are actually increasing."

While Cancer Research UK said there will "never be one single magic bullet" to cure all cancers, it called for a boost to public health and the NHS to meet looming demands for better diagnostics, treatments and earlier diagnosis.

The country's cancer survival rate has doubled over the last 40 years and around half of patients now survive the illness for more than 10 years.

The lifetime cancer risk for women (47.55%) is lower than that of men (53.5%), while the combined lifetime risk is 50.5%.

In 1980 the combined risk was 27.2%, in 1990 it was 32.7%, in 2000 it was 37.1% and in 2010 it was 41.8%.

Video: Most Cancers Down To Bad Luck

Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, said: "We're living longer and that means we're more likely to develop a range of age-related health issues.

"We need to plan ahead to make sure the NHS is fit to cope. If the NHS doesn't act and invest now, we will face a crisis in the future - with outcomes from cancer going backwards.

"There will never be one single magic bullet that treats ... cures all cancers.

"I cannot foresee a time when that's going to be the case. But already we're able to cure a number of cancers now."

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Man Shot Dead On West London Street

A murder investigation has been launched after a 38-year-old man was shot dead on a street in Uxbridge, west London.

Police were called by London Ambulance Service to Vine Lane following reports of a shooting shortly before 7pm.

The victim, found with gunshot wounds, was pronounced dead at the scene an hour later.

Officers are in the process of informing next of kin and a post-mortem examination will be held in due course.

Scotland Yard said no arrests have been made and inquiries are ongoing.

Local road closures remain in place.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0208 358 0300 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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CCTV Footage Exposes Slaughterhouse Cruelty

By Hind Hassan, Sky News Reporter

Campaigners and MPs are calling for CCTV cameras at every abattoir after footage revealed extreme animal cruelty at a halal slaughterhouse.

Secretly recorded video shows sheep being kicked, thrown and punched at Bowood Lamb abattoir in Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

The filming was carried out by animal rights group Animal Aid, who smuggled cameras into the site and filmed footage over three days in December.

In the video, one of the workers stands on the neck of one animal, while another worker hacks a sheep to death - contrary to Islamic guidelines.

The Food Standards Agency says it has suspended the operating licenses of four of the slaughter men and is now conducting an investigation.

Conservative MP Henry Smith will call for mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses at a House of Commons debate.

He told Sky News it would allow for "an independent assessment and so that those carrying out that role know that the system is monitored to prevent cruelty taking place".

The MP for Crawley said: "Already many abattoirs, particularly ones that supply the big supermarkets like Tesco and Waitrose, have a system of CCTV to ensure animal welfare standards are maintained.

"So what I'm asking for is that is extended across all slaughterhouses in the UK. It's not something that is very expensive or burdensome but actually could end a lot of unnecessary suffering and abuse of livestock in the food production process."

Slaughterhouses in the UK are required to stun animals before they are killed to minimise pain, but Muslim and Jewish slaughter houses are exempt due to religious requirements.

Halal meat must be prepared in accordance with Islamic law. Like Jewish Kosher meat, it requires the animal to be slaughtered and the blood drained.

Both religions dictate that it should be done with a surgically sharp knife and in one uninterrupted sweep.

Masood Butt, from The Association of Non Stun Abattoirs (ANSA), which represents the halal meat industry, said: "Islam has absolutely clear guidelines about treating animals within a slaughter house or outside a slaughter house and that is to be kind and merciful to them and respecting their care and not to cause pain or suffering to the animal unnecessarily.

"For example, Islam says you are not allowed to slaughter an animal in front of an other animal.

"You are not allowed to deprive them from food or water. You have to provide enough space for them to lie down or walk about.

"Islam has clear guidelines not to slaughter babies in front of their mother and if they have done so they are not only not following the laws of animal welfare in the UK, but they are also not following the rules in Islam."

The Muslim Council of Britain said it is appalled at reports of animal mistreatment.

A spokesman said: "Animal cruelty is wrong and criminal wherever it may occur.

"That it is being carried out in halal slaughter makes it even more incredulous. Animal welfare should be observed by all slaughterhouses.

"The findings certainly are abhorrent in Islamic practice, and the abattoir must be subject to the full force of the law."

In a statement The FSA said: "There is no excuse for treating animals in the way shown on the video and we are therefore investigating the footage with a view to prosecution.

"When the FSA has finished investigating it will need to consider if there is sufficient evidence of a breach of animal welfare legislation to justify a referral to the Crown Prosecution Service, which would decide whether to prosecute or not."

An evening debate is due to take place in the House of Commons on the issue of CCTV cameras in slaughterhouses. 

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MPs To Decide If Babies Can Have Three Parents

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

Britain could today become the first country in the world to legalise the creation of IVF babies with DNA from three different people.

MPs will debate the controversial technique that involves changing the genetic material passed down the generations.

The new regulations MPs will debate "make provision to enable mitochondrial donation" under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act.

It would allow women to have children without passing on serious and incurable diseases of the mitochondria, tiny power generators found in almost every cell.

Opponents question the technique's safety and warn it could lead to "designer" babies.

Video: 3-Parent Embryos: How Does It Work?

But Prof Dame Sally Davies, England's Chief Medical Officer, says the technique would prevent great suffering.

"The 37 genes in the mitochondria are for energy making. They do not make us who we are or what we are.

"Yet children born with defective ones often don't live a year or two.

"Others get gradual deterioration of muscles, heart, kidneys, vision and brain and die in their late teens and early 20s."

Mitochondrial donation has been pioneered by scientists at Newcastle University.

They propose using standard IVF techniques to fertilise an egg from an affected woman and another from a donor.

They would then remove from the affected embryo the nucleus, which contains 99.9% of the parents DNA, and leave behind the defective mitochondria.

At the same time they would remove the nucleus from the donated embryo.

Video: Home DNA Test Goes On Sale

Finally they would transplant the nucleus containing the parents' genes into the donated embryo, which would then be implanted in the mother's womb.

It's estimated that 2,500 women in the UK are affected by mitochondrial diseases and could use the technique.

But David King, of Human Genetics Alert, urged MPs not to allow the technique.

"This is not about protecting embryos but about protecting children from the severe health risks of these unnecessary techniques and protecting everyone from the eugenic designer baby future that will follow from this.

"These diseases can be prevented through conventional egg donation - a reliable method that doesn't risk the child's health. All that these dangerous experimental techniques add is that that they allow the mother to be a genetic parent, which is not a medical benefit for anyone."

The technique has already been cleared by scientific and ethics watchdogs. The public have also been consulted and broadly supported its use.

Dr Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust, the UK's biggest research charity, said: "The Government is right to ask Parliament to support regulations that will allow the law to catch up with public and scientific opinion, and we urge MPs and peers to vote for them."

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Alan Barnes Meets Woman Behind £250K Campaign

A disabled pensioner who was mugged outside his home has met the campaigner who raised more than £250,000 to support him.

Alan Barnes, 67, said it felt "magic" to meet beautician Katie Cutler, who set up an online fundraising page after reading about the attack.

The 21-year-old's campaign went viral and has raised more than 500 times its original £500 target in just three days.

Mr Barnes said: "I didn't expect anything - it's hard to figure out what to think really."

The fundraising campaign passed the £200K mark on Sunday

Ms Cutler said: "It's like a dream."

Mr Barnes, who has disabilities from birth after his mother contracted German measles when she was pregnant, broke his collarbone when he was pushed over by his attacker.

People were moved to help after hearing that Mr Barnes - who is 4ft 6ins tall and weighs less than six stone - was too afraid to return to his home in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

Following reports of the attack, which police described as "disgraceful", Ms Cutler set up the Help Alan Barnes online donation page on the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe.

She wrote: "I was so upset that anyone could target a disabled pensioner and be so cruel.

"We can't take away what has happened but with a little donation we can make the future a prettier one and help towards the cost of his new home. Thank you all."

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Cameron's 'All-Out War' On Mediocre Schools

Headteachers at coasting primary and secondary state schools face being sacked in an "all-out war on mediocrity", David Cameron is to announce today.

In a speech later, the Prime Minister will say that any English school assessed as requiring improvement by Ofsted will be put under new leadership unless it can show it has plans in place to bring about rapid change.

Coasting schools will also automatically be considered for academy status.

The country's best headteachers, backed by high-performing neighbouring schools or expert sponsors will take over the running of the schools.

They will be expected to introduce reforms to boost results that could involve new discipline policies or changes in personnel, such as removing headteachers.

The move comes as part of a Conservative manifesto commitment to give all children a good start in life, regardless of where they are from.

Video: Morgan: 'Stop Worrying Parents'

Mr Cameron said: "As parents we're hardwired to want the best for our kids. No one wants their child to go to a failing school - and no one wants to them to go to a coasting school either.

"So this party is clear. Just enough is not good enough. That means no more sink schools - and no more 'bog standard' schools either. We're waging an all-out war on mediocrity, and our aim is this: the best start in life for every child, wherever they're from - no excuses."

Eton-educated Mr Cameron has previously insisted he wants to spread the advantages he enjoyed to "every child in Britain" and pledged to end the education "lottery".

Video: Ofsted's Secondary Schools Warning

The reforms build on existing powers that allow failing schools to be converted into academies.

Around 1,200 schools have been turned into made the transition, mostly under the coalition.

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Viral Campaign Raises £190K For Mugging Victim

Donations for a disabled pensioner who was mugged outside his home have reached more than £190,000.

After reading about the mugging of 67-year-old Alan Barnes, beautician Katie Cutler set up an online fundraising page that went viral and has raised almost 400 times its original £500 target in just two days.

Mr Barnes, who has disabilities from birth after his mother contracted German measles when she was pregnant, broke his collarbone when he was pushed over by his attacker.

People were moved to help after hearing that Mr Barnes was too afraid to return to his home in Low Fell, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

Following reports of the attack, which police described as "disgraceful", Ms Cutler set up the Help Alan Barnes online donation page on the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe.

She wrote: "I was so upset that anyone could target a disabled pensioner and be so cruel.

"We can't take away what has happened but with a little donation we can make the future a prettier one and help towards the cost of his new home. Thank you all."

One online contributor, Lorraine Susan, said: "I really hope this fund helps him get settled somewhere nice & safe.

"At least he knows there are literally thousands on his side."

Mr Barnes is a well-known figure in Low Fell and is renowned for being able to quickly calculate how many days old someone is from their date of birth.

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Man Spreading Ashes Washed Out To Sea

A search has been launched for a man who was washed out to sea as he spread ashes.

The 51-year-old was last seen at Port William, near Tintagel, on the north Cornwall coast, where he was caught by a large wave.

Two others who were with him at the time went into the sea in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue him.

A search and rescue helicopter was scrambled by Falmouth Coastguard from RAF Chievenor.

Coastguard rescue teams from Boscastle and Port Isaac began a shoreline search, and a request was made to Padstow RNLI Lifeboat to launch.

Falmouth Coastguard watch manager Neil Oliver said on Saturday evening: "We have now been searching for four hours and sadly the man has not been found yet.

"The helicopter and lifeboats have now completed their searches but the two coastguard rescue teams continue their search.

"Conditions this evening have been unfavourable with gale force winds and rough seas."

The search operation was suspended for the evening at around 11pm and will resume at first light on Sunday, reports the Cornish Guardian.

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