HOPES were fading last night for two men missing in Southampton Water after a boating accident.

A massive air and sea rescue search was finally called off yesterday afternoon, after there were no sightings of Richard Cooper, 18, and Wayne Lowe, 22.

The pair, both from Bitterne, Southampton, had gone fishing at about 11.30pm on Wednesday night.

Their 12ft dinghy was found capsized the following evening at a mooring buoy about 800 yards south off Southampton sailing Club in Woolston.

Police and coastguards launched a search after Mr Lowe's wife raised the alarm on Thursday afternoon.

The search was resumed at first light yesterday and continued till 2.30pm when the search was finally called off.

A team of divers went out twice to where the boat was found capsized, close to where the River Itchen meets Southampton Water, but could not find anything. A coastguard helicopter flew overhead throughout the day and lifeboat crews patrolled the area.

Southampton coastguard sector manager Mike O'Brien said: "If they were swept away by the tide, they could be anywhere, and not necessarily together.

"We have had experiences in the past when two people have been involved and they have been discovered miles away.

"The families are aware of why we've called off the search, and our condolences and sympathy go out to them.

"They are obviously very distressed."

He added that routine weekend coastguard searches would be checking the area again. All vessels sailing in Southampton will be asked to keep a look-out.