POLICE have been called in after a major rescue operation was launched in response to flares fired over the sea, only for it be revealed as a hoax.

RNLI volunteers from Sunderland lifeboat station were called into action shortly after 5.30pm on Friday after several sightings of red distress flares near Seaham Harbour.

Coastguards received at least ten individual 999 telephone calls from members of the public and as a result officers requested the launch of the inshore lifeboat along with a search and rescue helicopter from RAF Boulmer and a Coastguard rescue team from Seaham.

Paul Nicholson, senior helmsman at Sunderland RNLI station, said: "Sea conditions at the time were rough with waves reaching about four metres in height. Despite this we managed to reach Seaham in a little over 20 minutes".

The RNLI lifeboat and RAF Helicopter were requested to carry out a search covering an area one mile north and south of Seaham Harbour up to a distance of three miles offshore, while the team of coastguards carried a search from the land.

After about two hours coastguards received further information which directed them to an allotment plot off Parkside Crescent, Seaham where it was believed the flares may have been fired from.

After a thorough search of the area, they discovered empty flare canisters and matter was passed on to the police.

"It is important for people to understand that incorrectly firing a distress flare has exactly the same effect as making a hoax '999' call," said Mr Nicholson. "This could have serious consequences if someone was in genuine need of assistance while we were dealing with a false call.

"While the flares on this occasion had been fired as a hoax, we would like to thank the large number of members of the public who dialled 999 to contact the coastguard."