POLICE searching for a missing man in Lyme Regis have found a body near to the Cobb.

Police have confirmed that a body was found this morning at 10.15am.

A major search operation was launched yesterday involving police, the force helicopter, police dogs, coastguards and the lifeboat to find Simon Douthwaite, 41, from Swindon.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “We have found a body in Dorset which we believe to be the missing person.

“Enquiries are ongoing.”

A spokesman for Dorset Police said the body was found west of the Cobb at Monmouth Beach, but could not confirm if it was in the water or on the beach.

The spokesman said: "At approximately 10.15am this morning, Thursday 24 January 2013, police responded to a report that a body had been discovered west of the Cobb, Monmouth Beach in Lyme Regis.

“Officers, ambulance staff and the Coastguard attended the location where a man believed to be in his 40s was pronounced dead.

"The coroner has been notified, but next of kin are yet to be informed.

"The death is not being treated as suspicious.

"Dorset Police would like to thank members of the public who have assisted with the search for this missing man over the past couple of days."