One man dead and two missing as search goes on for fishing boat off Lewis

Police say a body has been found in the search for three men who were onboard a fishing boat that has gone missing off the Western Isles.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said the alarm was raised at about 21:20 on Tuesday when it emerged the boat was overdue from Lewis.

A plane, two helicopters, two lifeboats and volunteers were making searches off the Port of Ness in north Lewis.

Local councillor Kenneth Macleod said it was a "very dark day" for islanders, and their thoughts were with the families of the three men.

Police Scotland said: "The body of one of the men has been recovered, however formal identification is yet to take place.

"The next of kin of the men are aware and are being supported by officers.

"Extensive searches, assisted by HM Coastguard and RNLI, are ongoing."

The RNLI said Stornoway's all-weather lifeboat was launched at 21:42 on Tuesday to search for the overdue fishing boat.

A spokesperson said: "The search, involving coastguard air and ground assets, was joined by Lochinver RNLI's all-weather lifeboat a short time later and continued into Wednesday morning."

Kenneth Macleod, convener of local authority Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, told BBC Radio Scotland's Lunchtime Live programme : "It is a very dark day for the community of Ness and the community of Lewis in general.

"Our thoughts and condolences are with the families affected.

"We cannot comprehend what the families of the three fishermen are going through at the moment."

Macleod said the search involved coastguard helicopters from Stornoway in Lewis and Shetland, as well as coastguard teams and local boats.

The search has come during warnings of bad weather in the area.

A weather system containing the remnants of Hurricane Isaias is forecast to send gales, heavy rain and a surge of warm air to parts of the UK.

A Met Office yellow warning has been issued for parts of the Highlands and Western Isles with the risk of gusts touching 70mph (113km/h) in places.

Ferries cancelled and disrupted as strong gales and rain hit Scotland