LIFEBOAT teams searching Barmouth for two missing teenagers have suspended their search this afternoon.

Emergency services have been scouring the area since 1.40pm yesterday when reports came in of two teenage boys getting into difficulty and not being able to return to shore whilst swimming in the sea.

Emergency services scrambled to Barmouth but the lifeboat crews from Barmouth and Aberdyfi, along with three coastguard teams suspended the search at 6.30pm.

This morning at 9am the Coastguard requested Barmouth RNLI's inshore lifeboat to re-launch and begin searching an area to the west of Barmouth Harbour at the bridge and in the main channel, but were stood down at 10.15am.

Coastguard Rescue Teams from Barmouth, Aberdyfi, Criccieth and Harlech have been on scene conducting shorelines searches since 6am.

George Crumpler, HM Coastguard area commander, said: "We're still searching the area, but as time goes on, hope starts to diminish.

"We have five teams searching the area this morning and will conduct another thorough search this evening at low tide, possibly with aerial assistance."

The Harbour Master from Barmouth and the North Wales Police are also on scene involved in the search operation.