A three-hour search for two boys, aged six and eight, who were reported missing from the seafront at Ryde on the Isle of Wight has now been "stood down", according to the Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
The MCA tweeted at 4.25pm: "We've searched the sea and shore and we now don't think there are 2 kids in danger."
A Coastguard rescue team, helicopter and lifeboat were all involved in the search. Hampshire police said it was triggered when the force was alerted at 1.21pm by Solent Coastguard who said the boys were last seen near local landmark Appley Tower. People were asked to look out for the six-year-old boy, who had dark brown hair, pale skin and dark brown eyes and the eight-year-old, who had a mole on his left shoulder.
A MCA spokesman said: "It is an area we can search very well with clear visibility."
"We are confident there is no child out there in difficulty.
"Either it was a hoax or a false report. The parents left the scene after making the report. Did they find the children and then leave without telling anyone?"
