AN intensive search and rescue operation was launched off the West Somerset coast on Friday afternoon after a swimmer or kayaker was believed to have gone missing.

One of the Minehead RNLI lifeboats was launched shortly before 4 pm, and a Coastguard helicopter from St Athans, in South Wales, was seen sweeping the coastline near Porlock Weir.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as the Free Press learns more.