A body has been found at the bottom of a cliff in Sidmouth following a search for a missing person.

The tragic news was announced by Beer Coastguard after rescue crews worked through most the night on Tuesday searching around Weston.

Crews had to call off the search and get a few hours sleep before they picked up early again this morning (Wednesday).

Rescue crews searched along the base of cliffs after cutting their way through dense undergrowth up to 15 feet high. The body of a 79-year-old man was reportedly found near Dunscombe Manor Caravan Park, west of Weston just before 9am this morning.

A Beer Coastguard spokesperson said: “The search was over very difficult terrain, over seven hours through the night.

“After a very difficult search we located the casualty, but sadly it was not what we had hoped for. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

“Our thanks to all the search and rescue units involved in the search and both the Donkey sanctuary and Dunscombe Manor Caravan Site.”

Ten coastguard rescue officers and a senior coastguard officer along with two members of staff from the Donkey Sanctuary, with their knowledge of the area, and a police search manager were involved with the search along with Exmouth Coastguard team, Sidmouth Lifeboat, Dartmoor Rescue group, police and a police search dog and help from the police Coastguard helicopters.