THE whereabouts of a teenage girl who reportedly walked into the sea at Redcar this morning are still unknown.

A major search was launched after Cleveland Police received a 999 call from a woman on her way to work who said the girl, believed to be about 17, was walking in and out of the sea at about 7am.

However, there is confusion this afternoon as the last sighting was of her walking towards a caravan park.

The call to the emergency services triggered the launch of both Redcar RNLI boats, the police helicopter and coastguard teams.

Lifeboat bosses later ordered the launch of the all-weather Hartlepool boat.

Dave Cocks, Redcar RNLI spokesman said: "Both lifeboats were launched to search off Redcar after a girl was reported to have walked into the sea off Redcar.

"The police helicopter was also searching. Hartlepool lifeboat had also joined the search and there is the possibility it may be extended further out to sea."