Body of UK diver found in wreck

The sunken MV Xlendi is a popular destination for divers

The body of a British diver has been discovered in a wreck off the Mediterranean island of Gozo.

Paul Swain, 49, from Billingham, Teesside, failed to surface from an expedition to the sunken MV Xlendi ship off the Maltese island on 3 November.

The body of the engineer and part-time scuba instructor was found on Saturday.

It is thought he became trapped in a chamber after large amounts of silt were disturbed. His next of kin have been informed.

The wreck, a former ferry, is a popular destination for divers.

Mr Swain was part of a group from the Sub Aqua Sports Association, based in South Hetton, County Durham.

He was reportedly last seen entering the former cafeteria of the wreck.

A search was launched immediately, but called off two days later because of dangerous loose debris in the cafeteria.

Mr Swain's body was found by divers and volunteers of Malta's Civil Protection Department on Saturday.

Local media reports say there have been problems in recovering the body and its removal has been postponed until Monday.

The wreck has been a cause for concern since it was first scuttled to create an artificial reef in 1999.

The ship sank into a steep sand bank and overturned, embedding itself in the silt.

Critics say divers can get easily disorientated because of the darkness and floating silt which is disturbed by their equipment.