Firefighters are tonight dredging part of an Oxford stream after a young man went missing following a swim with his friends.

Police, fire crews and an ambulance were called to Tumbling Bay bathing place, part of Bullstake Stream, behind West Oford Community Centre, off Botley Road, at about 6.15pm.

Officers had received reports that a man in his 20s had gone missing after he was swimming with three friends near a weir in the area.

A firefighter is currently dredging through waist-deep water in the stream while a boat with three firefighters is also searching the 50-metre by 20-metre water feature.

The police helicopter had also been in the area earlier to assist with the search.

Insp Matt Bullivant said: "We received a report from some friends that were in the water. The next thing he (the friend) hasn't come back.

"We need to make sure nobody is in the water."

Mr Bullivant said an underwater police search team had been called and an ambulance was on standby.

He added police had contacted the man's family and the three friends were being interviewed by officers away from the stream.

Philip Rodrigues, 26, part of the Team Shark Oxford Ultimate Frisbee team, was playing with friends on Botley Road recreation ground when he saw half a dozen police officers running and cycling towards the stream.

He said: "It's obviously pretty bad and it would be tragic if they find him dead.

"On a day like this, who could blame someone from going swimming, although there is a weir there, so it's probably not a smart place to swim."