The family of a pensioner who went missing last night and was not found until this morning have issued a sad update as they thanked emergency services and the public for their support.

Chris Brookes, aged 89, had left the Marlborough Avenue area of Falmouth for a walk at 6.30pm on Thursday and was not found until around 8am today, after an all-night search.

His family has now given an update this afternoon to say that sadly, despite the best efforts of all involved, Mr Brookes had passed away in hospital earlier today.

His goddaughter Freyja Penaluna said: "Thank you to everyone that was out searching in the terrible weather on land, sea and air last night. Cornwall you are all so amazing.

"As you all now know, Chris was found this morning at approx 8am. He was found in one of the little lanes just above the new Swanpool development.

"It seems as though this area was checked a lot, so we think he may have moved at some stage, perhaps after dawn.

"He was taken to Treliske via ambulance and we were phoned within the hour to be told that he had suffered a severe bleed to the brain. Unfortunately there was nothing that could be done.

"Sadly he passed at 2.30pm with ourselves and his wife Joy by his side."

Falmouth Packet:

The search and rescue volunteers out last night. Picture: West Cornwall SA

She stressed that the family was "so grateful for what everyone has done" with many members of the public also joining in the search last night alongside police, Falmouth Lifeboat, Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team, Porthoustock Coastguard Rescue Team, 20 volunteers from the West Cornwall Search and Rescue Team, and the police helicopter.

In a message on Facebook, which the Packet has been asked to share, Freyja added to everyone involved: "Joy would like to reiterate the thanks to all the police, specialist search teams, coastguard, RNLI, helicopter and RNLI crews and you beautiful lot for sharing, caring and searching so hard and selflessly for Chris."