A fisherman is in hospital after emergency services carried out a major search to find an overdue vessel on an Isle of Lewis loch.

The overnight operation on Loch Erisort was co-ordinated by the UK Coastguard after he was reported missing at 10.45pm on Thursday.

The Stornoway RNLI lifeboat, South Lochs inshore rescue team, Stornoway, Tarbet and Breascleate Coastguard rescue teams, the search and rescue helicopter from Stornoway and police were involved in the extensive search.

The man was found safe three hours later after managing to get himself to the shore and was taken to the Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway.

A coastguard spokesperson said: "We are pleased to report that the man has been found safe and well. It appears that he had engine difficulties but managed to get himself to shore. This is a happy ending, but it could have ended very differently.

"Whenever you go to sea, make sure you take appropriate communications, navigation and safety equipment with you.

We recommend where possible, all vessels are fitted with VHF DSC radio equipment which can send a distress alert and, if it is linked up to GPS, an accurate position of your vessel to the coastguard with one touch of a button.

"It is always good practice to let some know where you are, what you are doing and when you expect to return. Update them if you plans change. As ever, if you get into trouble or if see anyone who you think may be in trouble, call 999 and ask for the coastguard."