A moth enthusiast carrying out a study sparked a rescue operation when a boat mistook a beam of light for a distress signal.

The alert was raised after a small fishing vessel reported seeing a static white light 30 metres above cliffs in the Mull of Kintyre at around 4.30am on Tuesday.

Worried the light might be a distress signal, the coastguard dispatched Oban and Campbeltown Coastguard rescue teams to investigate, along with an RNLI all-weather lifeboat and a search and rescue helicopter.

However, rescue teams soon discovered the bright light was in fact being used to attract moths as part of a biodiversity night survey.

Stephen Turner, UK Coastguard duty controller said: "This is a very remote part of Scotland, and the crew of the fishing vessel were right to contact us so we could investigate the source of the light.

"Fortunately, we were quickly able to establish that there was a biodiversity survey in the area and not a potential search and rescue.

"It also provides us with a perfect opportunity to put out a valuable safety message to people who undertake work like this along our coastline.

"Using torches and static lights along the cliff coastlines can easily be misinterpreted as a call for help. If you're planning to do some surveying along the coast which might involve using a form of light, tell the Coastguard.

"You should also tell someone at home where you are going and when you expect to return.

"Your shore contact can then raise the alarm if you don't return as expected and will have all the information that rescuers need to find you."