A 78-year-old man has been found dead in the sea off Lanzarote after an extensive search was launched when he failed to return from a swim.

Emergency services were alerted shortly after 2:10pm yesterday, Wednesday, following reports that a man had disappeared while swimming at Los Pocillos beach, in Puerto del Carmen.

The Canary Islands Emergency and Security Coordination Centre (CECOES) immediately activated a search operation involving several emergency resources.

Lanzarote firefighters joined the search using a jet ski, alongside the GES Emerlan rescue boat and a rescue helicopter.

Firefighters subsequently located the 78-year-old floating in the sea and recovered his body before taking him back to the shore, where medical personnel examined the man but could only confirm that he had died.

The Guardia Civil took responsibility for guarding the body until the arrival of the relevant judicial authorities and has opened the corresponding investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

Los Pocillos is one of the best-known beaches in the Puerto del Carmen area and is popular with both residents and holidaymakers.