The body of missing hiker Esther Dingley and her equipment have been found together in the Pyrenees, close to where a bone was discovered two weeks ago.

The discovery was made yesterday by her partner Daniel Colegate following search efforts by him since her disappearance, said the overseas crisis support charity LBT Global (formerly the Lucie Blackman Trust).

A team of forensic specialists, along with mountain rescue personnel, were sent to the site in order to recover her body.

An LBT Global statement said: “At this stage an accident is the most likely hypothesis, given the location and other early indications. A full investigation is under way to confirm the details surrounding this tragedy.

“The family remain incredibly grateful for the efforts of the police units involved and their commitment to understanding the exact circumstances of Esther’s death.”

It added: “LBT Global are supporting Daniel and Esther’s mother, Ria, as they come to terms with this news.”

Ms Dingley, 37, was last seen walking alone in the Pyrenees mountains near the French-Spanish border on 22 November last year.

She had been travelling through Europe in a campervan with her partner since 2014 but disappeared on a three-day solo trek.

A single bone found in the mountain range a fortnight ago was DNA tested and confirmed as being Ms Dingley’s.