A British sailor is feared drowned after divers searched the wreck of his yacht in New Zealand, reports say.

Police say the 8m yacht Boadicea was found submerged off rocks south of Tauputoputo Bay on Wednesday evening.

Solo skipper Malcolm Widdilove, 77, told family on 4 January that he was
in Opua in the Bay of Islands and intending to sail to Norfolk Island.

Police are appealing for sightings of the eight-metre yacht and Mr Widdilove so they can establish his last movements. Police believed Mr Widdilove had been the only person on the boat, which
may have encountered difficulties, sinking off the coast then drifting
onto the rocks.