A MAN has died after failing to return from a kayaking trip in the North Sea.

Emergency services in the Borders were scrambled to the scene at Burnmouth Harbour at 8.30pm on Tuesday (May 16) and found the body of the 77-year-old on the shoreline.

The pensioner was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene.

A search was launched by the RNLI on Tuesday evening following concerns being raised for "overdue kayaker". The man had left Burnmouth earlier in the day, but had not returned.

A statement by the RNLI said: "The inshore lifeboat carried out a thorough search of the coastline from Eyemouth to Burnmouth, whilst the all weather lifeboat searched further offshore. Local Coastguard teams also commenced a shore based search.

"The crew of the inshore lifeboat located the casualty and kayak onshore approximately 400 metres north of Burnmouth, CPR commenced immediately.

"The casualty was transferred to a stretcher and taken by the inshore lifeboat to Burnmouth Harbour, where they were handed over to the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

"Tragically, an update was received that the casualty had not survived.

"The thoughts of everyone at Eyemouth lifeboat station go out to the family at this very sad time."

Following the death, the family of the man have been informed and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.