First British person goes missing as Storm Brendan approaches

Search for a man feared to have been swept away to sea in Blackpool as Britain braces for Storm Brendan’s 80mph winds. 

It is feared a man has been swept away to sea at Blackpool seafront by large waves. The concerns came late on Saturday after a member of the public looked down from the promenade between Central and South piers and saw a man on the beach very close to the water. They shouted a warning due to the extreme weather conditions, but at 11.20pm they called the coastguard as they could no longer see the man. 

No trace of anyone has been found after the HM coastguard launched an intensive search of the area overnight in ‘very rough’ conditions, and carried on till early hours Sunday when it was light. A spokeswoman for the Maritime & Coastguard Agency said: ‘Rescue units involved in the search overnight included Lytham RNLI lifeboat, Lancashire Police, a Coastguard rescue helicopter and Coastguard rescue teams from both Lytham and St Annes and Fleetwood. 

‘Conditions at sea overnight were described as very rough with strong winds. A further search began this morning at first light involving officers from Knott End, Fleetwood and Lytham St Annes coastguard rescue teams with nothing found’ 

‘With parts of the UK set to be battered by winds up to gale-force strength this week, please keep well clear over the waves and don’t risk your life- keep a respectful distance.’

Storm Brendan is approaching Britain as early as tomorrow with 80mph winds predicted and heavy rain and travel chaos. Yellow weather warnings are in place across the UK and the Met office has warned costal routes and communities could be particularly affected by large waves as they batter seafronts.