A driver whose car was found in a watery ditch in Suffolk remains unaccounted for – despite police searches involving a helicopter and dog units.

Suffolk police received reports of a car in a ditch beside the A1071 near to Hintlesham Hall, west of Ipswich, at around 10.15pm last night.

A force spokesman said the car, which was an Alpha Romeo, had been in around three feet of water – but no driver or passengers were present.

A police helicopter and dog units were drafted in to search for the driver.

By 5.20pm this afternoon, however, no trace of the driver had yet been found.

“Inquiries are ongoing,” the force spokesman added.

Anyone with information about the driver should call police on 101.