UPDATED: Body found after major search at Hurst Spit

THE body of a New Forest a man in his 80s was found in the water today (Thursday) at Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, after a major search at Hurst Spit last night.

Officers have attended and the death is not being treated as suspicious. The man's next of kin have been informed and are being supported.

The discovery follows an air, sea and land search at the spit, near Keyhaven, following reports someone was in the water. Police were also near the scene this morning.

The alarm was raised around 9pm, with fishermen on the spit saying they had spotted what was thought to have been a man in difficulty.

Lymington’s coastguard rescue team scoured the area, along with the Lee-on-Solent-based Rescue 105 helicopter and lifeboat crews from Lymington and Yarmouth.

A team of Royal Marines, who had been carrying out a training exercise in the area, also helped out before the hunt was called off around 12.30am after no sign was found.

A file is to be prepared for the coroner.