Rescue teams were called to deal with an object in the water off the west Cumbrian coast yesterday.
St Bees RNLI and Whitehaven Coastguard received the call from CGOC Belfast yesterday afternoon.
However it turned out the object was an inflatable football.
A spokesman for the Whitehaven Coastguard team said: "We were tasked by CGOC Belfast following reports of an object in the water off St Bees South Head.
"As we were proceeding to scene St Bees RNLI were already launched and swiftly located the object.
"It was confirmed as an inflatable football.
"St Bees recovered the item ashore and all assets were stood down."
In a coastal, sea or cliff emergency call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
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