A COASTLINE search was launched after a heap of clothes and a fold-up chair were found abandoned on Clacton beach.

A member of public discovered the clothes on Martello Beach and alerted police and coastguards.

There were fears that the owner had gone swimming in the sea and become stranded.

Police officers were sent out to search the shore, while a police helicopter searched from overhead and a Clacton lifeboat crew searched the sea.

The search started at about 8pm on Sunday. The lifeboat crew searched from Holland Haven sailing club to Jaywick but found no sign of a swimmer.

After a thorough search nothing was found and the police and coastguard units were stood down.

The owner of the clothing still has not been found.