POLICE have called off the search for a well-known Hampshire sailor who was reported missing last week.

Emergency services, along with friends and fellow sailors, have been trying to find Hugh Carter since his disappearance on Monday, November 7.

Despite extensive searches of the area around Keyhaven Yacht Club, where he was last seen the evening before his disappearance, Mr Carter has not been found.

The former watchmaker lived on his boat 'Norisle', which was moored at the entrance to Keyhaven harbour.

Today, Hampshire Constabulary said it was calling off its search.

A spokesman said: "We have carried out extensive searches to locate Hugh Carter, a 74-year-old man who was reported missing on November 7.

"Based on our investigations it is most likely he slipped into the water while trying to reach his boat and sadly died.

"His next of kin have been updated.

"The search for Hugh Carter has now concluded and we would like to thank the search and rescue teams from various locations for their help."

In order to reach his boat Mr Carter used a dinghy which was found on the beach near Hurst Castle the morning after he was last seen.

When he visited the castle Mr Carter was known to secure his boat on the pontoon, and the discovery of his abandoned dingy fuelled fears surrounding his disappearance.

The alarm was raised shortly after that discovery when the police and coastguard were contacted.

A search began with around 30 volunteers from Hampshire Search and Rescue involved along with two lifeboats, a police launch, and a Hampshire Search and Rescue helicopter combed the area for him.

Despite lasting for several days the search has failed to find Mr Carter, only his distinctive cap has been recovered from the foreshore of the castle.

The former Commodore of Lymington Town Sailing Club worked at the boatyard in Keyhaven called West Solent Boat Builders for local fishermen and sailors and he has spent time as a volunteer and a committee member of the Friends of Hurst Castle.

At the castle he helped to restore the Garrison Theatre which the Friends of Hurst Castle describe as unique being a 90 seat theatre used during World War Two.

His colleague, Barry Fudge, said: “We found his cap on the foreshore of the castle after about an hour. It was a well worn sailing cap.

"It was wet. But there was no sign of him.”

The Commodore of Keyhaven Yacht Club Graham Rudkin informed members of Mr Carter's disappearance and said in a statement “The authorities and Club members continued their search throughout the week and weekend but as yet have no firm news.”

He was last seen wearing yellow oil skin trousers and jacket and holding his dark Breton fishermans cap. He has grey hair and a trimmed grey beard.”

His friend Paul French, a photographer and Keyhaven Yacht Club member for ten years and who has known Hugh for 20 years described him as "a lovely man" and "a true gentleman".

"He would always put others first. He was very clever and used to be the watchmaker for Milford. He retired and then worked on the ferry for Hurst Castle for a while.

"He was a good carpenter, a cabinetmaker and refitted his boat the Norisle.

"He used to repair the big clocks in the big houses in the area such as at Newlands Manor.”

“You saw what you got with Hugh. There was no front to him. He was absolutely genuine.”