Teenager Colin Dodds missing in River Wear

A major search is continuing for a 16-year-old boy who was swept into a river in County Durham.

Colin Dodds is thought to have got into difficulties while swimming with friends in the River Wear in Bishop Auckland at about 17:20 BST.

Police and ambulance crews were taking part in the search, along with an RAF helicopter.

Ch Insp Sukhsham Sahani, of Durham Police, said police would work through the night to try to locate Colin.

Ch Insp Sahani added: "Colin's family are understandably distraught and will be kept fully updated."

It is believed Colin was with two other 16-year-olds when he began to struggle and was unable to reach the river bank.

The teenager, who lives in the Woodhouse Close estate, Bishop Auckland, was at an area of the river downhill from the town's Market Place, known locally as the Batts.

His friends raised the alarm when Colin failed to emerge from the river.

An ambulance crew, the Great North Air Ambulance, the police and the fire and rescue service all attended the scene.

Three helicopters - the air ambulance, a police helicopter and a crew from RAF Boulmer in Northumberland - were involved in searches along the river.

Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue were also asked to help.