Searches are continuing for a climber who was reported missing in the middle of the night.

A search was launched for the Liam Day, who was believed to have been climbing alone, after Dorset Police received concerns for his welfare at 12.24am on Wednesday.

The alarm was raised after the 26-year-old from Southampton, who has now been named by Dorset Police, failed to return home as expected following a trip to Swanage.

Dorset Police joined HM Coastguard and Dorset Search and Rescue Service to scour the coastline throughout the night.

Both the coastguard and NPAS helicopter were up yesterday to search the coastline around the Swanage area.

Distraught girlfriend Emily Brown appealed for friends and family to share his picture online while rescue teams scoured land, air and sea.

Friends from Southampton University's mountaineering club travelled to Swanage yesterday to join the search.

Southampton University Mountaineering Club President Martin Wearn said: "Liam is still an active member of our club and as such many of us knew him well. Numerous people have gone to Swanage this afternoon and evening to help try and search for him."

A Dorset Police spokesperson confirmed this morning that the police helicopter has flown over the area today but has not been able to find Liam.

Sadly there has been no trace of Liam, who is from Cumbria.

His car was located in Durlston Road near Durlston Country Park, and some climbing equipment was found one mile west of Anvil Point.

His family have been informed.

The man is described as white, five feet nine inches tall and of slim build. He is bald with a ginger beard and blue eyes.

Chief inspector Bob Acaster, of Dorset Police, said: “The man told his partner he was going climbing for the day but he failed to return home as normal. Every indication is that he did indeed go climbing on his own and we are very concerned that he may have come to some harm.

“It is possible that he may have gone deep water climbing which typically involves using a rope to lower down the cliff and then climbing back up unsupported.

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the Swanage area yesterday and saw a man climbing the cliffs or in the Durlston Road area to please contact Dorset Police”.

The coastguard said: "Around 1:00 am UK Coastguard were informed by Dorset Police of an overdue climber in the Durlston area of Dorset.

"Coastguard Rescue Teams from Swanage and St Albans, two Swanage RNLI lifeboats and the Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter based at Lee on Solent conducted an extensive air, sea and land search of the area and were stood down at around 8am today, pending any further information."

Both of Swanage's lifeboats were launched to assist in the search. 

A spokesperson said: "Solent Coastguard requested the launch of both of Swanage’s lifeboats to assist in a multi agency search for a climber that had been reported as overdue between Anvil Point and Dancing Ledge.

"The lifeboats launched and were quickly on scene and searching. After about 20 mins a rope was found over the cliff about 50m West of the Western mile markers.

"A thorough search of the area was carried out and with nothing found the search area was expanded."

Anyone with information is urged to call Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number 15:04.