POOLE lifeboat volunteers were called out following multiple reports of a red flare sighting in the vicinity of the Wareham Channel.

At 5.20pm on Saturday, the crew was tasked by Solent Coastguard. As the lifeboat continued to search up the Wareham Channel, more sightings of the red flare were reported.

A spokesperson for Poole RNLI said the crew searched as far as Russell Quay, “checking with all the water users and people in and around the river on the way.

“As nothing untoward was found, the lifeboat crew returned back down the channel.

“As they approached Giggers Island, the crew spotted a person in a rowing boat who also informed the crew that he had not seen any flares, which seemed very strange as there had been numerous sightings and at that particular location.”

They added the lifeboat continued to search the area but “as no one appeared to be in immediate danger and nothing untoward was found, the lifeboat stood down and returned back to the station”.