RNLI lifeboats have been launched a frantic search this morning following a report of a missing person from the Liverpool-to-Belfast ferry crossing.

The RNLI received a call at 8.40 am the overnight ferry from Birkenhead docked in Belfast.

Lifeboat crews were launched around 14 minutes later onto the choppy waters of the Irish Sea.

The Donaghadee lifeboat is searching the ferry’s path from Copeland Islands off the Co Down coast out into the Irish Sea.

The Bangor crew lifeboat is searching inner Belfast Lough for any signs of the passenger who went overboard.