A late-night search of Carlisle's River Eden sparked by fears that a man was in the water was halted when he was discovered in a nearby pub.

Fifteen firefighters from Carlisle's two fire stations and Penrith were scrambled to the River Eden at Rockcliffe at around 11.30pm last night to assist in the search for the man.

Members of Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service used thermal imaging equipment to search the riverbank while Cumbria Police used a drone, also with heat seeking equipment on board, to try and find him.

Paramedics from the North West Ambulance Service are also understood to have been sent to the scene.

The man feared to be in the water late last night was discovered around an hour later in a nearby pub 'safe and well', the fire service said.

It is the second search of along the Rockcliffe stretch of the River Eden in just a few days.

In a separate incident, emergency services were seen scouring the Rockcliffe and Cargo areas of the river on Wednesday and Thursday.

Firefighters used swift water equipment - including a boat - and techniques to conduct the search.

The River Eden has been swollen in recent days after a spell of wet weather.

Police search dogs were also seen working in the area.