Ullswater, scene of the fisherman's disappearance

Two mountain rescue teams are taking part in a major search of a Cumbrian lake after a man failed to return from a fishing trip.

An overnight search by Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team was suspended at 3.30am this morning after teams spent more than three hours looking for the man after his worried partner rang them.

Mark Bryant, 55, from Beamsley in North Yorkshire was last seen fishing on Ullswater at around 1.30pm yesterday. When he failed to return to Side Farm campsite in Ullswater where he was staying, his partner reported her concerns for his welfare to the Patterdale team who began a search of the surrounding area.

The man’s dinghy was found in the early hours, about 45m north of the steamer pier on Ullswater. The search resumed at 6am and rescuers have been joined by an underwater search team.

Four search dogs are also involved in the hunt for the missing man, described as white, of a stocky but slim build with long grey-blond hair. He was last seen wearing shorts and sailing shoes.

Members of Cumbria Constabulary have been questioning owners and staff of hotels, guesthouses, campsites and bed-and-breakfast establishments in the area to try to locate the missing man, who is in his fifties.

Police are appealing for anyone who thinks they may have seen anyone matching this description in the area to contact them on 0845 33 00 247.

Kayaker Chad Salisbury, 18, of Leyland, Lancashire, died on the lake in June after his boat capsized, and in May this year, 62-year-old Tony Thwaites of Alcester, Warwickshire, drowned after going overboard from a pleasure steamer on Ullswater.