A WATER rescue operation was launched after reports of a man falling off a bridge and into the river.

Police were called by a member of the public who had concerns about the safety of a man on the Worcester Bridge.

The witness believed the man on the bridge had been drinking and called the emergency services at about 3.30am this morning (May 15).

Despite a thorough search for the man the emergency services did not find anyone in the water.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said they sent water rescue vehicles from Worcester and Droitwich, and a first responder from Malvern.

The search also involved units in the air and on the ground, according to the fire service.

A police spokesman said: “Emergency services have done a thorough search of the water and surrounding area, and have been unable to locate anybody in the water and are no longer at the scene."