THE body of a man believed to be an experienced kayaker has been found this afternoon 22 miles off the Dorset coast after an extensive search, police said.

Alistair Collier, 60, disappeared without a trace on Saturday afternoon after he failed to finish a race been Knoll Beach and Swanage Pier off the South England coast.

The alarm was not raised until 1:45pm yesterday after the other 14 race participants safely returned.

It was reported that the sea conditions were rough at the time.

RNLI lifeboats from Swanage, Poole, Yarmouth, Mudeford, Bemebridge and Weymouth along with Coastguard Rescue Teams from Swanage, St Albans, Kimmeridge and Lulworth and Dorset Police worked to try and locate the 60-year-old.

The search took to the air overnight with coastguard helicopters from Lee-on-Solent, St Athan and Newquay.

This morning the coastguard fixed wing aircraft was used as authorities widened the search area.

Coastgurd teams were searching the cliffs and shoreline for Alistair.

The body was found in the water next to a kayak by the coastguard’s fixed wing aircraft.

It was recovered by the HMS Tyne and then transferred to Poole Hospital by a coastguard helicopter.

Dorset police say they believe the body to be of Alistair even though formal identification has not yet taken place.

Alistair was in a white canoe with a stabiliser and wearing blue-striped top under a red life jacket at the time he was reported missing.

He was described as white, 5ft 2ins and of medium build.

He also had brown eyes, black-greying hair, a goatee beard and spoke with a northern accent.

Alistair’s family has been informed and the coroner has been notified.

A spokesman for Dorset Police told the Dorset Echo: "We would like to thank everyone who assisted in the search and who has shared the appeal."