Five people are on board a vessel in distress off the Plymouth coast tonight, sparking a major multi-agency search and rescue operation coordinated by HM Coastguard.

HM Coastguard confirmed that they received the urgent distress call just after six o'clock this evening, on the 29th of August, alerting emergency services to the situation developing in open water.

The emergency call was pinpointed to waters located south-west of the Eddystone Lighthouse, prompting an immediate and extensive response launched across both air and sea to reach the five individuals.

To cover the area as quickly as possible, search teams took to the skies, with a coastguard rescue helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft sent to support the search from the air.

At the same time, lifeboats from the RNLI were scrambled on the water, with crews from both Plymouth and Falmouth dispatched to navigate directly towards the scene.

Alongside the official rescue teams, nearby local vessels in the area are also assisting emergency crews with the operation as the search continues.

HM Coastguard confirmed the coordinated effort, stating: "HM Coastguard is co-ordinating the response to a report of a vessel in distress with five people on board, South West of Eddystone Lighthouse. The report was received just after 6pm on 29 August."

The agency added: "A coastguard rescue helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft have been sent, together with RNLI lifeboats from Falmouth and Plymouth. Local vessels are also assisting. The incident is ongoing and there is no further information at this time."

As things stand, the multi-agency incident remains actively ongoing, and official authorities have stated there is no further confirmed information available at this time while crews carry out their vital work on scene.

Emergency teams are continuing their efforts in the waters off the coast, and further updates are expected once officials release confirmed developments from the operation.

I will bring you those updates as soon as emergency services provide any further details on the situation. I'll be following this one.