Colleagues of an RSPCA inspector who went missing while trying to rescue sea birds from a cliff are continuing to hope he is found alive.

Mike Reid, 54, vanished after he went to the aid of around 30 gannets stranded on rocks near Penzance, Cornwall, shortly before Storm Imogen's hurricane force winds battered Britain.

Thousands were left without power and several people were injured by debris sent flying during the latest storm's 100mph gusts.

Mr Reid's colleagues joined the hunt and said they were desperately hoping for good news after the alarm was raised on Monday when he failed to return home from duty.

Dermot Murphy, the RSPCA's assistant director for the inspectorate, said: "Mike has dedicated more than 30 years of his life to the cause close to his heart.

"His disappearance while doing the job he loved is a tragedy."

The RSPCA's acting chief executive David Canavan said: "I am heartbroken at Mike's disappearance.

"Our frontline officers face many challenges and Mike has always shown courage and compassion in his determination to do his duty to help animals in need.

"Today it is the turn of the RSPCA family to offer our support to Mike's family, friends and colleagues during these darkest of days.

"I would like to offer our sincere thanks to the thousands of people who have sent messages of support for Mike, his family and his RSPCA colleagues during this time."

Earlier this week Mr Reid's daughter Jenna paid tribute to her father, describing him as her "hero" and the "best person I've ever known".

In a Facebook post, Ms Reid wrote: "Unfortunately, and it pains and breaks my heart to say, that my amazing dad will not be coming home.

"This world is a cruel place to take such a wonderful man from it, a true loss. He was one in a million."

She added: "This has been the worst and hardest time in mine and my family's life. We will be empty without him, he completed us."