Members of Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team, which has a specialist boat, are taking part in the search

A major search of a Cumbrian lake is taking place after a canoeist failed to resurface after his boat overturned.

Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team members were joined by Coastguard staff, police and concerned members of the public after the incident on Ullswater.

Cumbria Constabulary was alerted to the incident, involving a teenager from Lancashire, just after 2.15 this afternoon, Saturday. The canoeist disappeared while about 200m from the shore, just west of Pooley Bridge.

A police spokeswoman said: “This large-scale search continues this evening. Police are also working to inform and support immediate family members.

Any witnesses to this incident are asked to contact Penrith police on 0845 3300247.”

In May this year, 62-year-old Tony Thwaites of Alcester, Warwickshire, drowned after going overboard from a pleasure steamer on the lake. His body was found a week after shocked trippers witnessed the event on board The Lady of the Lake steamer.