Woman and baby in ferry plunge

Police and coastguard have called off the search for a baby that fell into the sea with a woman. The police have said they now believe there was no baby on board the ferry.

Conditions are difficult along the shore line because it's quite heavy underfoot and the sea spray is hampering the search on the water.The mood among the rescuers has been described as despondent

Around 40 - 50 members of the public have helped with the search along with the police the coastguard, the lifeboat and numerous vessels from Belfast harbour.

Stena Line have cancelled the 15.30 sailing from Cairnryan to Belfast because of 'operational problems' related to the search for a baby that reportedly fell overboard from a ferry with its mother last night.

All passengers are being transferred to the 19.30 superfast sailing.

Searches have resumed in Belfast Lough for a baby who plunged with a woman from the Cairnryan to Belfast ferry on Wednesday night. The pair went overboard from the Stena Line ferry as it made it's way into port at around 6.10 pm.

The woman was rescued and taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for treatment, where she is stable. She was recovered by a pilot boat 15 minutes after the alarm was raised.