A swimmer has died after getting into trouble at a beach on the north Cornwall coast.

Emergency services had received reports about a missing swimmer in the Riviera Towans area, after he failed to return to shore at Gwithian.

St Ives Lifeboat was paged just before 9.15pm on Monday by Falmouth Coastguard, with crews of both the inshore and all weather lifeboats launching shortly afterwards to search for the man.

A lifeboat station spokesperson said: "Both volunteer crews quickly got underway to perform a full search of the area.

"Working with the coastguard, cliff rescue and search and rescue helicopters the crew located the casualty quickly.

"A crew member immediately entered the water in order to bring the casualty onboard the lifeboat.

"Crew members and a paramedic who'd been winched down to the lifeboat began casualty care onboard the all weather lifeboat.

"Despite everyone's very best efforts sadly the casualty was unresponsive."

Rob Cocking, coxswain at St Ives, went on to add: "Obviously, all of our thoughts are with the family and friends of the casualty at this time."

Devon and Cornwall Police have now confirmed that the man was confirmed to have died.

A force spokesperson said: "Police received a report at around 9.30pm on Monday, June 21, that a male swimmer hadn’t returned to shore at Gwithian beach.

"Sadly, a man in his 50s was pronounced deceased after being brought ashore by the lifeboat.

"His next-of-kin have been informed."