A 40-YEAR-OLD man was found on Burnham beach after a midnight search by coastguards and police.

The Spirit Of Lelaina hovercraft was launched at 12.15am yesterday to help two teams of coastguards from Burnham and Weston-super- Mare search for the man, who was reported to have gone missing in a distressed state.

Burnham coastguard officer Dave Welland said: "Several miles of the beach between Burnham jetty and Berrow were searched.

"There was some concern for the man, who had been reported missing by his family.

"He was eventually found by the rescue teams on the beach near the town's low lighthouse and appeared to have been drinking."

The man was taken to Burnham jetty, where he was met by a waiting ambulance.

An RAF search and rescue helicopter from Chivenor in Devon which was en route to the scene was stood down.