A body has been found in the search for a missing kayaker.

Alistair Collier went missing on Saturday lunchtime during a race between Swanage and Knoll Beach.

A major search followed during yesterday evening, overnight and on Sunday, with resources from Dorset, Hampshire and beyond.

Sadly, on Sunday afternoon, the body of a man and his kayak were recovered from the water 22 nautical miles south of Tyneham.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "On Sunday following an extensive search coordinated by HM Coastguard, the man – believed to be 60-year-old Alistair Collier – was located in the water alongside his kayak by the coastguard fixed wing aircraft and recovered from the water by HMS Tyne and transferred to Poole Hospital by coastguard helicopter."

Race organisers raised the alarm after the man failed to finish the race.

RNLI lifeboats from Swanage, Poole, Yarmouth, Mudeford, Bembridge and Weymouth, along with Coastguard Rescue Teams from Swanage, St Albans, Kimmeridge and Lulworth and Dorset Police took part in the search. Coastguard helicopters from Lee-on-Solent, St Athan and Newquay searched overnight and the coastguard fixed wing aircraft was brought in as the search area widened.

Formal identification has not yet taken place, but Alistair’s family have been informed and the coroner has been notified.