A dad reported missing from Kilwinning has died, his family have confirmed.

Bryan Kirk – known as ‘Kirky’ – had not been seen since his car was abandoned at the Dalgarven Hotel on Boxing Day.

Following a frantic search by family and friends, daughter Tiegyn confirmed her dad’s death on Facebook today (Sunday, December 30).

She said: “Well that’s my dad with the angels now. Devastated is not even the word. One thing is you’ll definitely never be forgotten.”

Pal Callum McKenzie asked that Bryan’s family and friends were given “some space and time to take this in please”.

He added: “Sadly our search for Bryan Kirk has came to an end and not the end we would have liked it to be.

“Thanks to everybody that turned up to help find with the searches and offers of drones, quads, all the shares etc. It’s appreciated by us all.”

Police confirmed that the family of Mr Kirk has been informed that a body has been found, however no identification has taken place at this time. 

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "At around 11.30am on Sunday, December 30 2018, the body of a man was discovered in the Dalgarvan area of North Ayrshire. 

“A post mortem examination will take place in due course to establish the exact cause of death and police are treating the death as unexplained meantime. 

“A report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”