THE body of a oil worker who vanished from a North Sea oil platform has been found following an underwater search.

Martin Lindsay, 51, described as being from "the Cleveland area", went missing from the Beryl Alpha platform early on Tuesday.

A remotely operated submersible located the body of Mr Lindsay underneath the platform at around 5pm on Tuesday, police said.

Rescuers had spent the day scouring the sea around the platform, while search teams hunted for the Petrofac oilman on the platform.

It is believed Mr Lindsay, who was not wearing survival gear, was carrying out routine checks on the oil platform when he vanished.

The alarm was raised just after 3am and a coastguard helicopter and four support vessels launched the search 90 miles east of Sumburgh, on the Shetland Islands.

He was reported missing after a full muster - where all crew on an oil platform were called to emergency points.

Grampian Police confirmed Mr Lindsay's body had been recovered from the sea bed.

A spokeswoman said: "Arrangements are now being made for the recovery of the body and the next of kin of Mr Lindsay has been informed."

Mr Lindsay had worked as a production operator for Petrofac for four years.

The company has 90 staff on the platform providing support to Exxon Mobil.

A Petrofac spokeswoman said: "Our thoughts are with Mr Lindsay's family, friends and colleagues to whom we will continue to provide support and assistance during this difficult time.

"We would also wish to extend our gratitude for the support and assistance of the authorities and teams involved in the search operation."