Lifeboats and helicopter search for missing Yorkshire angler

Humberside Police said Nigel Savage, 49, was reported missing after he failed to return home following a fishing trip near Scarborough with his two springer spaniel dogs.

Mr Savage, from Beverley, went to the coast in his green Peugeot 206 car which was found in a lay-by at Crook Ness, Field Lane, Burniston, at 3.26am today.

His two dogs were traced at the cliffs nearby.

A force spokesman said Mr Savage’s rucksack and some fishing tackle were also discovered on the cliffs.

He said a woman saw the dogs and rucksack at the location at 4pm yesterday but did not see Mr Savage in the area.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said a “massive land and sea search is taking place”.

A search and rescue helicopter from RAF Boulmer in Northumberland, RNLI inshore and offshore lifeboats from Scarborough, along with Coastguard rescue teams from Scarborough, Burniston and Ravenscar have been involved in the operation.

Mike Green, watch manager at Humber Coastguard, said: “The search has been taking place since 4am and we are focusing on searching an area of coastline two miles either side of Hundale Point and two miles out to sea.

“It is quite a complex operation, as the local coastline has very steep, craggy cliffs.”

Mr Savage is described as white, 6ft and of medium build. He is bald with facial stubble and has green eyes. He is believed to be wearing dark-coloured Craghopper trousers and a dark-coloured outdoor jacket.

Anyone who can provide police with information about his whereabouts is asked to call Humberside Police on 101 quoting log 14 of 31 January 2014.