A PRANK proved costly for the emergency services after a young man was spotted hanging from Rochester Bridge.

A search team was scrambled, including an RAF helicopter, and the river's edge was searched for an hour and a half on Thursday evening.

The search also included police, inshore lifeboats and the voluntary Medway Coastguard team.

The young man and two friends, also seen on the bridge with him, were spotted later that evening walking along Rochester High Street and the search was called off.

Richard Rodgers, deputy station manager for Medway Coastguard, said: "A passing motorist saw three lads messing about on the bridge. She called the police, by which time there was nobody on the bridge and nobody knew where the three men had gone.

"The call was made with good intent but I dread to think what these kids have cost in resources."

David Webster, search and rescue force media officer for the RAF, confirmed that the cost of operating the helicopter for one hour is £14,900.

"We take a very severe view of incidents such as this because the helicopter has been mobilised unnecessarily. That produces fatigue for the crew and cost for the tax payer when the helicopter would normally be sitting at base waiting for a real emergency."

Chief Insp Peter de Lozey, of Medway Police, said: "What may have appeared as a bit of fun to the man involved could easily have ended in tragedy.

"As a result of the serious implications, anyone found to be wasting the time of the emergency services will be dealt with robustly.

"That said, we would not want to discourage people from contacting the emergency services when they believe there is a need to do so."