UPDATE: The search has been called off with Coastguards in Falmouth saying the situation is being assessed to decide what to do next.

There are fears for the safety of an angler after he was washed off rocks near Padstow this morning.

A search and rescue operation has been launched in the Rumps Point/ Pentire Point area off Polzeath, with Falmouth co-ordinating the search.

Reports are that the Padstow lifeboat, alongside RNLI crews from Rock and Port Issac are involved in the operation.

Coastguards say the man, in his 20's was visiting the area and had gone fishing with a friend.

The sea conditions are moderate to rough, with large waves in the area.

Ken Bazeley, from Falmouth Coastguard, told the BBC: "It would be good if people could stay away from the area while we conduct our search.

"The units out there are doing their utmost to locate the person. The longer it goes on, the less likely it is that we'll find him safe and well."