Updated: August 20, 2012
Latest: Search for missing boy, 4, is called off in Burnham-On-Sea

Coastguards have this evening (Monday) called off a huge search and recovery operation for four year-old Dylan Cecil, who went missing in the sea last night after falling from the town's jetty.

Coastguards, lifeboats and hovercraft crews continued the search throughout today, with the sea, river estuary and mudflats being scoured with no sign of the youngster.

Over 50 rescue personnel took part in the major search operation on Monday, including two hovercrafts from BARB (Burnham Area Rescue Boat), four RNLI lifeboats from Burnham and Weston and scores of land searchers.

Two helicopters, one from the police and another from the Coastguard, also searched from the air.

But at just before 5pm, Coastguard Manager Vince Irwin said: "We have had an extensive search and have covered every possible area that e can think of. The search has therefore been called off."

Last night, a member of the public had dialled 999 to inform Swansea Coastguard that they had seen two adults go into the water to attempt to rescue the child and that they needed medical assistance.

A Coastguard spokesman told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "The parents of the child were treated on scene after they went in after the boy and required medical treatment for water ingestion."

"A member of the public dialled 999 at 6.04pm to inform Swansea Coastguard that they had seen two adults go in the water to attempt to rescue a small child and that they needed medical assistance."

"Swansea Coastguard sent the Burnham-On-Sea Coastguard rescue team to the scene, along with the two Burnham-On-Sea RNLI lifeboats."

The Coastguard Rescue helicopter from Portland was also on scene, along with a police helicopter, BARB and Avon ambulance service.

The coastline and waters were searched for any sight of the missing youngster.

RNLI, BARB and Coastguard crew members, equipped with ropes, searched the shallow waters along the beach and the River Brue estuary for several hours.