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.

Lt Gim Toni De Masi said a body was found in a crevice in the area from where Mr Hall had sent the message.

Due to the danger involved in reaching the body, a helicopter was brought in to assist with the recovery.

Mr Hall’s mother arrived in Italy on Wednesday. His father is expected to arrive on Friday, the officer added.

Seven of Mr Hall’s friends, including some who have known him since school and colleagues from Quickline, the broadband firm where he worked, previously travelled out to join the search.

They said three helicopters, multiple mountain rescue teams, police and a specialist drone had been working around the clock to try to find him.

Mr Hall began his solo hiking trip on 5 July and had been due to fly 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.