A NAKED man sparked a mass search in the sea after he was seen running into the Solent in the early hours of this morning.

A member of the public raised the alarm and called police at about 3.10am.

They reported seeing a man aged about 56 years old running into the water.

Hamble Independent Lifeboat, Solent Coastguard and Hampshire Fire and Rescue were all called out to search for the man.

The drama happened on the edge of the Solent between Meon Shore and Titchfield Haven.

A spokesman for Hampshire police said he search lasted three hours but it was called off after nothing suspicious was found.