A BODY has been found in the search for a sailor missing at sea on a boat partly made of car parts in the Western Isles.

The man named locally as Thomas Tyrrell, failed to return after setting off from Brevig on the Isle of Lewis to head to Stornoway in his homemade vessel at 7am on Tuesday.

His boat was found submerged near Bayble on the east of the island at around 9.55am on Wednesday and his body was recovered in the sea about two and a half miles away near Shesader.

It is estimated the 67-year-old man, known as Tommy, from Tong village on Lewis, managed to travel around 15 miles in the boat before getting into trouble.

Stornoway Coastguard launched a major search after a call from concerned relatives at about 8pm on Tuesday after he failed to return to Broad Bay on the east coast of Lewis.

A host of lifeboats and helicopters were involved and the submerged boat was found in the Minch area on Wednesday morning.

Rescuers also scoured areas further offshore to the north, as well as off the Point peninsula.

It is believed the man had not given details of where he intended to go and did not have a radio or mobile phone with him on the three-metre blue and black boat. It is understood he was also not carrying a life jacket or flares and only used the boat a couple of times before.

The shell of the boat incorporated the high top of a transit van and part of a Toyota Hilux 4x4 car.

Police said his family have now been informed of the discovery and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal.

Coastguard Rescue Teams from Stornoway, Ness, South Lochs, Miavaig, Tarbert, Bragar, Breasclete, as well as the Hebrides Mountain Rescue team and police officers scrambled over pebble beaches, rocks and inlets in case the man had been grounded on a reef or washed ashore.

Crew members of the Stornoway RNLI lifeboat worked against the darkness as they searched the same bay, widening their efforts northwards to North Tolsta and further offshore off Point until 3am.

A dozen members of Hebrides Mountain Rescue were called to do a land search between Bayble and Shesader on the Eye Peninsula, east of Lewis

Tim Martin of the rescue team said: "They asked us to search inland in case the guy in the boat had come ashore and tried to make his way inland."

Three years ago, Thomas Tyrrell was treated in hospital for the effects of the cold three years ago after going missing.

Searches were made for him on the day he was reported missing and he was found after spending a night in freezing conditions.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Police Scotland received a report from the coastguard of a missing boat which set off from the Brevig Pier on the Isle of Lewis.

"A search and rescue operation was conducted by coastguard with assistance from their own ground teams and air support, an RNLI Lifeboat, Hebrides Search and Rescue and police officers.

"At about 9.55am this morning, the missing boat was traced north of an area known as the Minch.

"Police can now confirm that the body of a man has sadly been recovered not far from where the boat was located.

"The man's next of kin have been informed of the circumstances. No further details regarding his identity will be release at this stage."