Reports of an overturned kayak sparked a large-scale emergency response in Chester yesterday afternoon (December 14).

At around 1pm on Sunday, a call was made to police regarding the welfare of a person near Queens Park Road.

They reported an overturned kayak with no occupant in sight.

A large number of emergency personal attended the scene, with police and the fire service carrying out a search of the river.

Whilst officers did recover the boat, there was no trace of its owner.

Officers have now confirmed that the kayak "may have broken free or been abandoned in the river".

A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said: "The caller reported that there was an overturned kayak and no trace of the occupant.

"Police and fire attended and conducted a search of the area and there was no trace of the owner. 

"After recovering the boat officers believe that it may have broken free or been abandoned in the river."