A number of volunteer-led searches are set to take place as the hunt for missing student Sophie Smith continues.

Teams will be conducting searches in Gorleston and Winterton-on-Sea today in hopes of finding the 21-year-old who has not been seen since Boxing Day.

The first search will begin at 12.15pm from Marine Parade car park, Gorleston, with teams searching the beach, cliffs and surrounding fields and lanes towards Hopton.

Another search from Winterton-on Sea heading north towards Waxham is scheduled to begin at 2pm.

Yesterday a volunteer aerial search conducted by Sky Watch Civil Air Patrol reported an item in the water.

Upon further investigation nothing was found.

A spokesman for HM Coastguard said: “We conducted a search near Winterton after receiving a report to an item in the water.

“We despatched teams from Hemsby Inshore Rescue and Winterton Coastguard but nothing was found.

“There were really good search conditions and lots of marine life situated about but nothing further.”