Emergency services searched the freezing North Sea for potential missing people after two bicycles were discovered on a nearby beach.

Hartlepool Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) all-weather lifeboat John Sharp and inshore lifeboat Solihull were requested by Humber Coastguard to join the 1.30am operation off Hartlepool’s coast.

Hartlepool Coastguard Search and Rescue team and police officers were also involved in the search although no-one was found to be in the water.

A spokesperson for Hartlepool RNLI said: “The lifeboats were tasked to assist police and Hartlepool Coastguard Search and Rescue team to search the coastline near Newburn Bridge at Hartlepool for possible persons in the water following the discovery of two bicycles on the beach.

The all-weather Hartlepool lifeboat John Sharp pictured at the Ferry Road lifeboat station following the search for potential missing people in the North Sea.

placeholder image — The all-weather Hartlepool lifeboat John Sharp pictured at the Ferry Road lifeboat station following the search for potential missing people in the North Sea.

“With nothing found during the search the lifeboats returned to the Ferry Road lifeboat station and were refuelled and made ready for service by 2.45am.

“Sea conditions during the search were described as moderate.”

The incident took place on Wednesday, December 31.