A British man has been found dead by rescuers after he vanished off the coast of Spain yesterday.
The former member of the British Armed Forces was reported missing at lunchtime on Thursday.
A massive search operation was launched by sea, land and air.
This afternoon the Maritime Rescue Service confirmed his body had been found 52 metres below the surface.
He had been diving close to the Hormigas Islands in a destination popular for its excellent conditions and sunken wrecks.
The former soldier is thought to have gone out with a dive school based in Cabo De Palos, near Cartagena on the south-coast.
He was last seen near the islands before fellow divers lost touch.
Helicopters, the coastguard, divers, firefighters and a Red Cross boat had all been involved in the search.
Spanish Navy vessels in the area were called in to help as rescuers battled rough sea conditions.
Emergency services also used a remote operation submarine vehicle from the tug boat Clara Campoamo to look for his body.
The search had continued throughout Thursday before being postponed overnight and continued today.
Government delegate Francisco Jiménez said he "lamented the tragic outcome but thanked the effort and work of Salvage, Red Cross, Navy, Civil Guard and the Emergency Coordination Service 112.
The dead Brit has not yet been named but it is understood he lived in Guardamar del Segura, Alicante.
