Coastguards have launched a massive rescue hunt for a cyclist who may have drowned after falling from a ferry off Hythe in Hampshire.

The captain of the Southampton to Hythe ferry raised the alarm after he spotted the passenger's red flashing bicycle light floating in the water.

A coastguard rescue helicopter, life boats and police launch were scrambled to Southampton Water to look for the man at 2100 BST on Thursday.

But rescuers abandoned the search when they failed to find a body after more than 90 minutes.

If you were that cyclist please call us

Tony Wheeler, Solent Coastguard

A spokesman for Solent Coastguard appealed for anyone who knows where the man is to contact police as soon as possible.

Tony Wheeler, watch manager, said: "The search was launched after the master of the ferry reported seeing the cyclist's red flashing light in the water and feared the worst.

"However, an extensive search of the area failed to find him.

"We would now urge that man to contact police so we can all be assured he is alive and well. If you were that cyclist please call us."

Solent Coastguard can be contacted on 02392 552 100.