The police helicopter and South Woodham Ferrers Coastguard Rescue Team were sent to find the source of a red flare on New Years Day.

They were called at 2.48am to search Clements Green Creek to North Fambridge, on the River Crouch, over reports of a red flare.

Nothing suspicious or untoward was found.

The Essex Police helicopter tweeted at 3.20am yesterday from @NPAS_Boreham saying: "01/01 0320hrs - #SouthWoodhamFerrers, #Essex - Search of estuary after reports of red distress flare. Area cleared with @SWF_Coastguard"