Man believed missing at sea

A MAN who is believed to be missing at sea after his clothes were found on a beach was named by police as 52-year-old Stephen Jones.

The Coastguard, RNLI and police marine unit launched a major search along the coast off Southend, Essex, on Thursday after a member of the public spotted a man clinging to a buoy before vanishing.

An RAF helicopter was deployed along with two lifeboats and a police boat. Clothing and personal items belonging to Mr Jones were found nearby, Essex Police said.

The search was stood down on Thursday, according to the Coastguard.