Missing man Derek Dilworth has been found after a two-day search and is being taken to hospital in Plymouth by air ambulance.

Derek, who is 84 and suffers from dementia, is said to be hypothermic and will be treated at Derriford Hospital.

A major search operation was mounted after Derek disappeared on Friday evening. He has spent two nights in the open.

Police officers, local people and specialist rescue teams from Cornwall and Dartmoor have been looking for Derek, aided by helicopters which have been circling the area around his home at Darley Ford continuously this morning.

Neighbours checked their properties for signs of the missing man, said to be generally fit and healthy apart from his dementia.

One of the rescuers told the Cornish Times: ’We are just relieved Mr Dilworth has been found’.

He was last seen by his wife just before 5pm on Friday at his home near Darley Ford Quarry.

The search operation continued through yesterday’s appalling weather amid mounting concerns for Derek’s safety.