A major sea search for a young man who went missing while snorkeling off Portland continues.

Police have named him as Oscar Montgomery, aged 17, and are appealing for help from the public to find him.

Late last night, HM Coastguard and police appealed for urgent information. The search continues today. 

Oscar was last seen at around 5pm on Wednesday at Church Ope Cove, Portland wearing a dark coloured wetsuit.

He was reported as missing at around 7.37pm.

Oscar is described as white and of a slim muscular build with brown hair and a small slit in his left eyebrow. He was wearing a dark-coloured wetsuit with black flippers and a black snorkel.

Chief Inspector Lance Cliff, of Dorset Police, said: “We are extremely concerned for Oscar and I am appealing to anyone who may have knowledge as to his whereabouts to please contact police immediately.

“I would be keen to hear from anyone who was out in the water in the area and recalls seeing a diver matching the description given and may have information that could help us find Oscar.”

Portland Coastguard rescue team, two RNLI lifeboats from Weymouth, an RNLI lifeboat from Swanage and the coastguard rescue helicopter from Lee-on-Solent have been sent.

A Royal Navy helicopter, two Royal Navy warships, a police helicopter and Dorset Police are also involved in the search.

Anyone with information or knowledge as to Oscar’s whereabouts is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 27:492.