A major search operation is under way due to a number of people in difficulty in the sea at Withernsea, HM Coastguard has said.

The incident was reported at the seaside town in East Yorkshire at 15:10 GMT.

The search involves a rescue helicopter, air ambulance and another aircraft.

Withernsea’s RNLI inshore lifeboat, an all-weather lifeboat from Bridlington and Hornsea Inshore Rescue are in attendance, along with Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Humberside Police and Humberside Fire and Rescue.

An eyewitness described “wall-to-wall” blue lights and said conditions were “bitter and freezing”.

In a social media post, Hornsea Inshore Rescue said its 4×4 vehicle and casualty care crew were on the way to Withernsea.

Darrin Stevens, who lives nearby, said he had witnessed lots of emergency vehicles and crews in the vicinity of the beach.

“It’s just blue lights, wall-to-wall from one side to the other,” he said.

He described the weather conditions as “bitter and freezing”, with snow earlier and high waves at sea.

“It’s not a good place to be in the sea,” he added.

Local vicar, Rev Ian Greenfield, said he was on hand to offer emotional support and prayers for “these courageous men and women who are here, possibly risking their own lives to save somebody that might be out at sea”.