EMERGENCY services were called out twice in the early hours of Saturday morning after two separate reports of people in the water at Musselburgh.

Firefighters from the town were joined by colleagues from Newcraighall, Bathgate and Edinburgh's Marionville at about 2.35am after reports of a man waist-deep in the River Esk.

Police said a member of the public raised concerns saying they had seen the man "walk into the river".

Officers joined fire crews at the scene along with the coastguard.

The police helicopter was scrambled and a search of both the river and riverbank carried out but no sign of the man was found. 

The fire and rescue service were told to stand down at 6am while the Coastguard continued the search.

But, at 6.20am, they received a second call after reports of a woman swimming at Fisherrow.

Police at the scene said the woman had managed to swim about 30 yards out from shore but was safely brought back in.

A spokesperson said: "The woman was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh as a precaution."