The body of the yachtsman found off the mouth of the River Erme, Plymouth, on Saturday has been identified as 54-year-old Paul Fairbank from Ross-on-Wye. Mr Fairbank was found four miles away from his 24ft catamaran, Talatasha, which was spotted drifting close to rocks off Stoke Beach late on Friday night.

Mr Fairbank had been sailing single-handed from Salcombe to his mooring near Cawsand Bay, and was last seen motoring off Thurlestone around 730pm on Friday. He had not been wearing a lifejacket or harness. The drifting yacht was later found with the sails stowed and the forward hatch open. The anchor was on deck but not deployed.

Recovery of the vessel has been arranged for examination, and investigations are underway by Devon police.