Coastguard teams remain on standby this weekend as the search for missing student Sophie Smith continues.

Eastern Daily Press: The search for missing girl Sophie Smith continues on Winterton beach.Picture: ANTONY KELLYThe search for missing girl Sophie Smith continues on Winterton beach.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

The 21-year-old is believed to have entered the sea at Gorleston having disappeared from her home in Avondale Road during the early hours of Boxing Day morning wearing only a vest and shorts.

Coastguard teams from Lowestoft and Southwold, Gorleston and Winterton carried out a large-scale, intensive search along the coastline yesterday (December 29), which involved scouring the beach and coastline between Lowestoft Harbour and the South Pier in Gorleston.

Eastern Daily Press: The search for missing girl Sophie Smith continues on Winterton beach.Picture: ANTONY KELLYThe search for missing girl Sophie Smith continues on Winterton beach.Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

They were assisted by police units, a National Police Air Service helicopter, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, and Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue.

After several hours and fading light, the coastguard teams were eventually stood town and now remain on standby to resume the search if required.

Sophie left her home at 3am on December 26 and CCTV footage has captured her heading towards the seafront a short time later, but there have been no other confirmed sightings since then.

Police have said that Sophie had been suffering from severe anxiety and depression.

Today’s searches organised by the Find Sophie Smith Facebook group

•Hopton Holiday Village, 2.30pm (Saturday 30), meet at the main gate.

•Yarmouth Sea Front, 12pm (Saturday 30), meet at Britannia Pier

If anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of Sophie Smith, please contact Norfolk Police immediately on 101.