Swimmer feared lost off Gold Coast

An air and sea search has yet to find a swimmer feared missing off the Gold Coast.

The search was launched on Monday morning after a towel and a bundle of clothes were found abandoned on the sand at Mermaid Beach.

A member of the public saw a man enter the water early in the morning near where the clothes were later found.

Police have released photos of the unclaimed items in the hope someone might recognise them.