A 23-year-old man has been arrested after a ferry service on Scotland’s west coast was evacuated over a bomb threat.

Operator CalMac said a passenger was reported overboard on the MV Caledonian Isles 16:40 service, carrying 329 people from Brodick on the Isle of Arran.

The BBC understands that after being pulled from the sea by the ferry’s rescue boat, the man then told crew that there was a bomb on board.

All passengers were removed on foot at Ardrossan so the vessel could be searched. Police Scotland said it was established that the threats “were not credible”.

The passengers and others waiting at the port were taken to a nearby supermarket car park by police while the search was carried out.

After this was complete, officers allowed people back on board to collect their vehicles.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware that a man had gone overboard and caused a disturbance and made threats when he was rescued.

“A 23-year-old man has been arrested. The incident has since concluded and there is no threat to the wider public.”

Remaining sailings from Ardrossan were cancelled on Friday evening to allow crew to be debriefed and emergency equipment to be replenished

An extra service to the island was added at 19:50 on the MV Alfred from nearby Troon.

CalMac CEO Duncan Mackison said: “This was a fast-moving situation that was handled professionally by our crew, Ardrossan port staff and emergency services and I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to them.”

The operator said affected passengers who had bookings would be contacted by customer services.

CalMac is the UK’s largest ferry operator, running 29 routes across 200 miles of Scotland’s west coast.