Body found in search for British hiker Matthew Hall in Italy

Rescue teams searching for missing British man Matthew Hall in the Italian Alps have found a body.

The discovery was made on Wednesday evening, close to the Cross of Daloo, a mountain viewpoint high above the town of Chiavenna, where the 33-year-old, from Hull, had been staying.

Mr Hall sent a photograph of the cross to friends on the day he went missing, leading to a search of trails in the area.

Italian police told the BBC the body was found at 19:00 local time and members of Mr Hall’s family had been informed.

Mr Hall was staying at the B&B Ploncher hotel when he disappeared on 9 July. He was thought to have been planning an eight-hour trek and had told a friend in a text message he had taken a wrong turn and was having a rest.

Friends travelled to the town to help with the search and raise awareness that he was missing.

Mr Hall began his solo hiking trip on 5 July and was due to have flown back from Milan to Manchester on 12 July. He was known to be a confident walker with knowledge of mountains and rugged terrain.

His family and friends have praised the Italian police, rescue workers and the community in Chiavenna for their help.