A frantic search for a missing man has ended in tragedy after his body was found in a Stone canal. 

The body of 34-year-old Matthew Holland was discovered by police divers searching the Trent and Mersey Canal.

The find came during a major search operation after Mr Holland failed to return home from a night out with friends in Stone town centre.

He was last seen outside the Crown and Anchor pub at around 2.15am on Sunday.

It is thought he set off walking home along the canal towpath towards the Whitebridge Lane area.

Police have not yet released any further details about Mr Holland but he is understood to be married and leaves a three-year-old daughter.

Mr Holland, who was known locally by the nickname “Oz”, is thought to have lived on Stone’s Whitebridge estate.

It is understood that Mr Holland ran his own computer software business.

Around two years ago, Mr Holland took part in the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for children’s cancer charity Clic Sargent after a friend’s four-year-old daughter was diagnosed with cancer.

In a website set up to promote the challenge, which involves scaling Britain’s three tallest mountains in 24 hours, Mr Holland wrote: “Hi I’m Matt, 32, from Stone, Staffordshire. Dreading the punishing 24 hours that lie ahead of us but looking forward to raising as much as I can for an inspirational little girl and an amazing charity.”

Police spokeswoman Helen Jarvie said today: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with Mr Holland’s family at this very difficult time.