The search for a military aircraft thought to have crashed in Cumbria has been called off.

Two search helicopters were launched after RAF controllers at Lossiemouth were alerted to a distress beacon.

At the same time there is believed to have been a mayday message transmitted.

After a three-and-a-half hour alert, the RAF said it appeared to be a false alarm.

A spokesman said no aircraft was overdue and there had been no report of any crash.

When the alarm was raised shortly before 1300 BST on Friday, two RAF rescue helicopters were launched, one from Prestwick and one from RAF Boulmer.

A RAF mountain rescue team was also put on stand-by at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire.