The Loch Lomond Rescue Boat has issued a message to the public ahead of bonfire night after being called to reports of a distress flare.

The crew were alerted to the incident at 7.31pm last night by Police Scotland where they attended an area of Balloch following the sighting of the flare.

The boat searched the area around Cameron House and across to Boturich using their night sight equipment.

After police provided footage of the distress flare, a helicopter was sent to assist the search area including Loch Lomond and the Trossach National Park.

After two hours of searching they were stood down at 9.45pm.

The rescue boat posted on social media following the incident asking members of the public to be cautious ahead of bonfire night.

It read: "Crew paged at 7.31pm tonight by Police Scotland to attend the area of Balloch after a reported sighting of a distress flare.

"With nothing found all assets stood down at 21:45.

"We would like to remind people that flares should not be used as fireworks & must be used only in an emergency."