THE COASTGUARD has stopped searching for a man who is missing in the Firth of Clyde near Gourock. 

The decision was taken to terminate the search for the 55-year-old who was reported missing in the water after two boats got into difficulty on Saturday night. 

Two men, one 36-year-old and a 33-year-old, were rescued from the water near Cardwell Bay by a lifeboat just after midnight on December 8. 

Greenock, Helensburgh and Kilgreggan Coastguard Rescue Team, along with Helensburgh RNLI lifeboat and the HM Coastguard helicopter from Prestwick were all sent to the scene. 

They had been searching up to the Erskine Bridge until a decision was taken to stop the operation. 

READ MORE: Two rescued from River Clyde near Gourock with one still missing

A spokeswoman for the Coastguard said: "Following a report of two boats in distress last night, December 7 in the Greenock Bay area, HM Coastguard together with RNLI, Police Scotland and other local resources responded.

"Two people were rescued but one remains unaccounted for.

"Overnight and again today, resources have continued to carry out an extensive search of both shorelines in the area up towards the Erskine Bridge but the missing man has not been found.

"The decision has been taken to terminate the search, pending any further information. Our thoughts are with the family at this time."