TROON'S RNLI lifeboat was launched on Tuesday afternoon following reports of a possible person in the water at Ayr Harbour.

The lifeboat crew's pagers were activated just before 5pm to carry out a search alongside Coastguard Rescue Teams and the Prestwick search and rescue helicopter.

The search was stood down just before 9pm with nothing found.

A lifeboat spokesperson said: "At 4.55pm on Tuesday, November 26, Troon RNLI all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch after reports to Belfast Coastguard of a possible person in the water at Ayr Harbour.

"With the pagers activated, the volunteer crew assembled at the lifeboat station and RNLI Trent class all-weather lifeboat ‘RNLB Jim Moffat’ was soon heading to the area to begin a search.

"Alongside Ayr Coastguard Rescue Team and the Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter from Prestwick, a search was undertaken using information provided by Belfast Coastguard.

"Shortly before 9pm, following a search of the area and with nothing found, the lifeboat was stood down by Belfast Coastguard.

"The all-weather lifeboat made its way back to Troon, where it was made ‘ready for service’ with the assistance of the shore crew."