A major rescue operation was launched today after a 15-year-old boy went missing while swimming in a lake at a beauty spot amid a heatwave across Britain

Police, ambulances, search and rescue teams, drones and marine units have all been deployed to find the missing teenager.

The teenager was last seen swimming at Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve near Totton in Hampshire. 

The reserve is a popular swimming spot used by families to cool off during hot weather.

A spokesperson for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said: 'A multi-agency operation is underway following a report that a 15-year-old boy is missing after he was last seen swimming at Testwood Lakes near Totton.

'This was reported to police at 1:35pm on Wednesday June 24 and the area is currently off limits while our search operation is ongoing. Please avoid the area at this time.

'We have deployed the marine units to aid in the search, alongside colleagues from NPAS, South Central Ambulance Service, and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire Service.

'We will provide further updates when we are able.'

The chief executive of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Debbie Tann said: 'We are aware of an incident at Testwood Lakes this afternoon.

'Emergency services are on site responding and we've closed the site until further notice.'

Daniel Zelazny, 39, said his daughter came to the lakes in a group of ten friends.

He said his daughter called the police after one of the children disappeared after swimming out into the lake.

The children have been waiting for news since around 1.30pm when the boy went missing.

His partner, Klaudia Wnuk, 28, said: 'It's difficult, we are scared now about what's going on.'

She added: 'It's a horrible situation, it's a very sad situation.'