Search continues for missing British man 'thrown from banana boat' in Portugal

A search is continuing for a missing British man after he was "thrown from a Banana boat" in Portugal.

The man, who has not been identified, was thrown from the inflatable in Santa Clara Dam at around 5pm on Monday, according to authorities.

He had been visiting the area, an hour's drive north of the Algarve region, as part of a group of 10 British tourists.

The search was stopped on Monday night and resumed again on Tuesday morning.

Local volunteer fire chief Mario Batista said four people were on a banana boat with another six on a boat towing the inflatable.

One rider disappeared after all four were thrown from the float, he said.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We are assisting the family of a British man reported missing in Portugal and are in contact with the local authorities."

The man's family have been informed, the spokeswoman added.

The Santa Clara Dam, about 25 miles from the southern city of Ourique, and about an hour's drive from the Algarve resort of Portimao, is popular with both water sports and fishing enthusiasts.

Additional reporting by PA.