A SEARCH involving police divers and dozens of officers is continuing in and around Stourport, tomorrow.

Officers have been at the centre of a hive of activity with specialist teams combing land at the riverside and behind Stourport Boat Club and in road drains in the town centre since 7am, today.

The police have set up a temporary headquarters in a car park near Stourport Sports Centre, in Harold Davies Drive.

A squad of police divers from South Wales Police Specialist Search Unit have been brought in to extend the land-based search to the River Severn's riverbed.

The unit can also be used, if necessary, to search high or exposed locations.

West Mercia Constabulary's force helicopter has also been above Stourport's rooftops on and off throughout assisting with the fingertip search.

Dylan Evans, Stourport police spokesman, said the searches were part of an "ongoing operation" and stressed the public were "not in any danger."

Police have been helped by officers from Worcestershire County Council's highways department which is responsible for maintaining the town's drains.

Pete Roberts, who owns Pete's Prints in Bridge Street, said he had seen officers near Stourport Yacht Club taking up drain covers in the town centre at 9am.

Speaking at 1.40pm, he added: "The police are still all over the place, it is all quite interesting."

An eyewitness, a worker at Andy's Barbershop, told Shuttle Online he had seen around 13 police vans at noon.

It is not known why the police search is taking place or what officers are looking for but an update is expected tomorrow.

The operation is due to stop this evening and will resume tomorrow, according to the police.

Check back with Shuttle Online in the morning for the latest on this developing story.