A body has been found in the hunt for a kayaker who went missing in the Solent.

A coastguard helicopter, rescue teams and lifeboats were launched last night to search off the coast of Hill Head.

The hunt was launched after kayaker Stephen Taylor failed to return and this morning crews across the south are searching for him.

But this morning a body was discovered by police and coastguard searching for Mr taylor.

It believed the discovery was in Newtown Creek on the isle of Wight.

The 54-year-old, of Newbroke Road, in Gosport, left Lee-on-Solent at around 11.30am on Saturday in his blue coloured kayak with the intention of paddling toLepe Beach on the Waterside.

Mr Taylor, who was an experienced canoeist, was in touch with his partner throughout the day but when he had failed to return home late in the evening she alerted police.

He was believed to be wearing a wetsuit, light blue coloured long sleeved top, navy blue life jacket with a red detail and a beige sun hat.

A police statement said: "Police assisting in the search for missing kayaker, 54-year-old Stephen Taylor, can confirm a body has been located.

"Mr Taylor’s family have been notified and are being supported by officers.

"Formal identification procedures have not yet taken place."