A body has been found in the search for a missing Irvine man.

Police investigating the disappearance of William Sharpe found the body of a man on Easter Sunday and say formal identification has still to be made, but they believe it to be that of Mr Sharpe and his family has been informed.

The 52-year-old was last seen by a neighbour as he was leaving his Lawthorn home on a pedal bike around 3pm on Thursday, April 18.

There have also been unconfirmed CCTV sightings of a man matching his description around 8.30pm on Thursday evening near to Irvine train station.

Tributes have already been pouring in on social media pages for William and his wife Karen changed her Facebook profile picture to a picture if William hours after his body had been discovered.

One friend paid tribute saying: "Karen, Kieran & family thinking of you all at this sad time. Totally heartbroken for you. He was truly one of a kind RIP GBNF".

Another said: "We are all devastated. So sorry for your loss. He was the nicest man anyone could meet. Sending our love and thoughts to you, Keiran and all the rest of the family."

A police spokesperson said: “At 12.20pm on Sunday afternoon a body was found in the water near to Roddinghill Farm, Irvine. Although formal identification has still to take place, it is thought to be William Sharpe, 52, who had been missing from home since Thursday, April 18. His family have been informed.”

"A post mortem will be carried out in due course to establish how he died, however, there are not thought to be suspicious circumstances."