A BODY has been found by rescuers searching for a fishing boat which went missing off the south Devon coast.

One person was onboard the 19ft (5.8m) JCK which was last seen travelling past Thatcher's Rock, near Torquay, at 6.25pm on Monday (January 28).

Shortly after midnight a body was discovered by the Exmouth RNLI lifeboat, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said.

Gale force winds of 60mph had been reported in the English Channel.

The lifeboat and a rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose joined the search for the vessel which was due to return to Brixham Harbour at 7pm.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the next of kin had been informed.