Missing ferry passenger search operation called off

The Princess Seaways docked at North Shields at 09:45 GMT

A major search operation off the north of England coast for a missing ferry passenger has been called off.

The operation had begun after luggage was found in a cabin during routine checks on a DFDS ferry after it docked at Port of Tyne.

"A full search of the vessel and terminal was completed but the passenger remains unaccounted for," a DFDS spokesman said.

Police said the passenger was recorded as a foreign national, aged in his 60s.

He was discovered missing on The Princess Seaways after it had sailed from Amsterdam in the Netherlands to North Shields, arriving at 09:45 GMT.

'Mayday relay'

HM Coastguard said earlier it had called off its search and rescue helicopter and lifeboats from six north-east England RNLI stations.

A spokeswoman said it was now a police missing person operation and there were no plans to resume the search.

Northumbria Police said the man did not leave the ship but could not be found on board.

The force appealed for passengers who might have information to contact them.

A mayday relay broadcast had earlier been issued to all vessels in the area.

The RNLI said 37 volunteers had joined its search of the area south of the River Tyne and the shoreline around the Seaton Sluice area of Northumberland.