TWO youths have been fined after a false report that someone had fallen in the River Wye.

Police were called to the main bridge in Builth Wells at around 3.30am on Tuesday morning, before a large-scale search involving mountain rescue teams, the fire and rescue service and a police helicopter was launched.

The youths were each issued with £80 fixed penalty notices.

Andy Twigger, temporary Chief Inspector of Dyfed and Powys Police, said: "A great deal of time has been wasted by police and our colleagues in both mountain rescue and fire and rescue services.

"This shows we will take robust action when people waste emergency services' time and it should serve as a warning to others who may be tempted to make false reports."