A MAJOR search took place along the North-East coast yesterday after it was suspected that a fisherman was swept out to sea.

George Derbyshire, 61, was reported missing by his wife, Rose, on Tuesday night after he failed to return home from a day’s fishing.

Police believe the keen angler had been fishing off Blackhall or Horden beach, in east Durham. The last time Mrs Derbyshire heard from her husband was at lunchtime on Tuesday.

Mr Derbyshire, a security officer with Komatsu, in Peterlee, is generally in good health, police said.

According to a note he had left at home, he intended to return at about 3pm.

A search was mounted on Tuesday night, with the North-East Air Support Unit police helicopter flying along Horden and Blackhall beaches, while volunteers from the Coastguard searched clifftops.

Yesterday morning the search resumed, with an RAF Sea King helicopter and members of Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue and Cleveland Mountain Rescue also taking part.

However, by last night, there had been no trace of Mr Derbyshire.

Inspector Tony Myers said: “We are obviously extremely concerned. At this stage we have to keep an open mind about what may have happened, but one obvious fear is that he may have been swept out to sea.

“In the meantime, our efforts to find him will continue for as long as it takes.”

Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team leader Dave Bartles- Smith said: “Fortunately, there is no snow on the coast, but it is still very cold and there is a strong wind coming off the sea. It is pretty nasty.”

Blackhall Navy Sea Angling Club chairman Malcolm Harrison, 58, who used to work down the pits with Mr Derbyshire, said: “I don’t think he has been fishing for many years – he has just taken it up as a pastime.

“The seas have been really rough for the past two weeks.

We have only been able to fish on the odd day because of the weather. I went to have a look myself on Tuesday and thought the sea was far too rough to fish. I couldn’t see anybody on the beach.”

Mr Derbyshire is thought to have been wearing a green bodywarmer over a green camouflage jacket, a grey, Russian-style hat with ear covers and blue jeans.

The search is expected to resume this morning.