A MAN's body has been found on the Hampshire shoreline in the search for a missing sailor.

Emergency services including police and coastguard were carrying out an extensive search in the Lymington area after the disappearance of Hugh Carter, who disappeared on November 6.

The 74-year-old sailor was recorded leaving Keyhaven Yacht Club and was driven back to his dinghy morring that night.

He had not been seen since and Mr Carter's family have been notified.

Hampshire police have today issued a statement that says: “Just before 3.10pm on Tuesday, November 22, the body of a man was found on the shoreline near Salterns Sailing Club, Lymington.

"The identity of the man has not yet been established.

"The family of missing man, Hugh Carter, have been informed of the discovery.

"Identification will take place in due course.”

A police statement on Friday said that the search for Hugh Carter had concluded and that based on their investigations, it was most likely that Mr Carter had slipped into the water while trying to reach his boat.

Hugh was a former Commodore of Lymington Town Sailing Club and the long running Solent Circuit races were inaugurated by him.