Two Britons missing after Hurricane Odile hits Mexico

Two Britons are reported missing off the coast of Mexico, following the rough seas that hurricane Odile had brought with it.

The Britons, now named as Paul Whitehouse from Wolverhampton and Simone Wood from London, disappeared when their yacht turned over in the Gulf of California.

Mexican marines and sailors are beginning a search operation in the area where the yacht over turned.

A spokeswoman for the UK Foreign Office said: "We are in touch with the local authorities and are providing consular assistance to the families at this difficult time."

Mr Whitehouse, who is a scuba diving instructor in La Paz, had been living on the yacht for the past year with Miss wood.

Hurricane Odile left a trail of destruction when it hit last Sunday, affecting power and water supplies, as well as phone services causing the evacuation of around 18,000 tourists.