A body has been found in the search for a University of Warwick professor who went missing while on a research trip in Chile.

Professor Tom Marsh, an astrophysicist at the University of Warwick, was last seen near the astronomical observatory La Silla on September 16.

The 61-year-old, from Rugby, was out on an "observing run" on the outskirts of the Atacama Desert when he vanished

An extensive search of the remote mountainous region around the observatory has been underway for many weeks led by a highly trained specialist search team.

The local police posted a Tweet yesterday afternoon (November 10) confirming a body had been found around two miles from the observatory.

No formal identification of the body has been made and that is expected to happen over the next day or so. Tom's family are currently in Chile to help in the search for him.

Chris Ennew, Provost at the University of Warwick, said: "This is deeply distressing news for Tom's family and our thoughts are of course with them, along with his colleagues and our wider community.

"And we realise it's particularly difficult while people are waiting for formal identification to take place.

"I know what a terrible time this is for the colleagues who knew Tom and counted him as a close friend as well as an inspirational academic and mentor.

"For anyone who has been impacted by today's news, please do use the wellbeing support that's there to help you during this difficult time."