Police are treating as a hoax a phone call which prompted a massive search by mountain rescuers.

Members of Mourne Mountain Rescue Team were joined in the hunt by four helicopters and a spotter plane, as well as search and rescue dogs. The search was launched on Monday morning when a foreign tourist staying in Newcastle, County Down, rang emergency services to say he was lost in the Mourne mountains.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland is investigating the circumstances of the call.

Coastguards from south Down were involved in the search, along with a helicopter from Dublin Coastguard. Fire service crews used thermal imaging equipment to search the hills.

The search was called off when police established the man was no longer in the area.

Ed Kilgore, of Mourne MRT, called it the most comprehensive search ever for a missing person in the Mourne mountains.

One RAF search-and-rescue helicopter came from Wales to join in the hunt.

The hoax was condemned by Down District Council chairman Colin McGrath who said the incident had cost £200,000.