POLICE divers will this morning recommence their search for a body after a man fell from the Runcorn bridge.

Officers were called at 12.50pm yesterday when a man was spotted climbing on the railings of the Silver Jubilee Bridge.

Officers attempted to talk him down, but despite their efforts he went into the water below.

Little is known as yet about the man's identity.

The Coastguard sent two crafts to the area to assist in the search, but it was at first unclear whether or not the man had landed on the Manchester Ship Canal side.

Because the tide was going out, it presented difficulties to rescue boats as the exit out of the area would have been restricted.

New Brighton’s hovercraft was on standby but because of high winds it was decided to take it through the tunnel to Liverpool for a launch from John Lennon Airport.

It was stood down when the search shifted to the canal side. Coastguard officials confirmed they had deployed a small boat to search the banks.

The search continued for several hours and the bridge was closed to traffic for the duration of the incident.