A body was found today after a major air-sea search mission for a kayaker who went missing . Stephen Taylor , went missing in the Solent after leaving Lee-on-Solent in Hampshire at about 11.30am yesterday in his kayak with the intention of paddling west to Lepe Beach . The 54-year-old experienced canoeist was in touch with his partner Michelle Fuller , 49 , throughout the day - but when he failed to return home late in the evening she alrted police . Scroll down for video . Search : Helicopter and lifeboats were combing the Solent off Hampshire for the missing kayaker last night . Sending a team : Stephen Taylor went missing in the Solent after leaving Lee-on-Solent at 11.30am yesterday . A coastguard helicopter , rescue teams and lifeboats were launched to search off the coast of Hill Head - and police revealed shortly after midday today that a body had been found . It is believed there may have been a sighting of Mr Taylor , from Gosport , at about 10.50pm last night by a passing vessel . A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said : ‘ Police assisting in the search for missing kayaker , 54-year-old Stephen Taylor , can confirm a body has been located . Heading out : A coastguard helicopter , rescue teams and lifeboats were launched to search off Hill Head . Lifeboats : When Mr Taylor failed to return home late in the evening yesterday his partner alerted police . ‘ Mr Taylor 's family have been notified and are being supported by officers . Formal identification procedures have not yet taken place. ’ Solent Coastguard 's senior coastal operations officer Lucy Tanner added : ‘ The casualty has been recovered and it is now being dealt with by police . All of our search units have been stood down. ’ Mr Taylor was believed to have been wearing a wetsuit , light blue long-sleeved top , navy blue life jacket with a red detail and a beige sun hat .
Stephen Taylor vanished in Solent after leaving Lee-on-Solent yesterday . He was in touch with partner during day but he later failed to return home . She then called police and major air-sea search mission was launched . 'Sighting ' last night and a body - awaiting formal ID - was found today .