Coastguards have issued a warning, reminding people that 'distress flares are not fireworks.'

It comes after a late night call-out for the HM Coastguard Lowestoft and Southwold rescue teams – following reports that a red distress flare had been spotted offshore.

Six coastguard rescue officers were called out on Thursday night (September 29), at 11.30pm, to search from Ness Point in Lowestoft to Corton.

A spokesman for the coastguards said: 'We were called out to reports of a red distress flare being seen just offshore between Ness Point and Corton. The team arrived on scene and a shoreline search was conducted, before a broadcast message was issued to all shipping in the area, however nothing further was seen and there was no response from any vessel seeing anything.

'There had been reports from the police that a group of children had been firing flares during the day near Corton.'

The call-out was put down to a false alarm with good intent.

The spokesman added: 'We would like to remind everyone that distress flares are not fireworks and should only be used in the case of a maritime emergency.'