The discovery of a body in Spain believed to be that of John George ends an “extremely tortuous search process”, a statement issued on behalf of his family said. The 37-year-old west Belfast man had been holidaying in Alicante and was last in touch with his family on December 14.

A body found by Spanish police is believed to be that of missing Belfast man John George. A solicitor representing the family said that Billy George, the victim’s father, contacted him from Spain shortly after 5pm on Tuesday after the Cuerpo de la Guardia Civil confirmed that a body had been located.

John George, also known as John Hardy, had been holidaying in Alicante and was last in touch with his family on December 14

The brother of a Belfast man believed dead after going missing in Spain has said "someone knows" where his sibling is and the family will not be leaving the country "without his body".