A major search has been launched after reports of a man falling into a river.

Rescue boats and emergency services have been searching the River Nith in the Whitesands area of Dumfries.

The missing man has been identified as 41-year-old Brian Cowie, of Dumfries.

Searches were carried out on Sunday night and resumed on Monday morning, involving Police Scotland, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Nith Inshore Rescue Service and a helicopter.

Police Scotland Inspector Rory Caldow said: "We received a report at around 9pm last night in relation to a man falling into the River Nith in Dumfries near to the rowing club.

"The man has now been confirmed as 41-year-old Brian Cowie, who was residing at an address in Queensberry Street in Dumfries. He is described as being about 6ft and was last seen wearing a dark jacket, grey hooded top, light coloured jeans and grey/black shoes.

"Extensive searches have been carried out along the length of the River Nith down stream to the Solway Estuary, and these will continue today with the addition of volunteers from the Moffat Mountain Rescue Team.

"Divers from the Police Scotland underwater unit will also attend to assist with the search."

Anyone with information which may assist the search is asked to call the police on 101.