Falmouth Coastguard is appealing for urgent information to locate the owner of an emergency distress beacon (EPIRB) which was activated at about 1pm in the Cornwall area today (May 8).

The beacon is unregistered so the HM Coastguard teams do not have the owner’s contact details. It is not known if it was activated accidentally or if someone is in trouble and needs rescuing.

It says lifeboats are currently searching the Cornish coastline from Newquay around to the Falmouth area.

"If anyone knows who owns the the beacon number: HEX ID 9D0E1D1A3000001 or if you may have accidentally set off a beacon at in the Cornwall area please get in touch," says the coastguard.

Call HM Coastguard at Falmouth with any information on 01326 317575.

Margaret Howell, Senior Maritime Operations Officer at HM Coastguard Falmouth said: “We’re making an urgent appeal to find the owner of a beacon so if you know anyone who may have set one off in Cornwall, please contact us. Emergency crews are out searching and we would really like any information we can to help us in our search.”