THE heartbroken fiancée of Dean Tate has paid tribute to an 'amazing father and friend' after a body was found in the search for the missing man. 

A huge, multi-agency response was launched following a report from a member of the public that they had found a body on an uninhabited island.

Police confirmed that a body, believed to be that of Mr Tate, was found washed up on Stert Island opposite Burnham-on-Sea on Saturday afternoon (April 21).

The 40-year-old was last seen in the Somerset and Dorset pub on High Street, Burnham-on-Sea at 10pm on February 23.

His fiancée, Sarah Reeves, shared the news on the Find Dean Tate Facebook page yesterday (April 21), and paid tribute to the father-of-seven, and thanked all those who helped with the search over the last two months.

RELATED LINK: Body found in the search for missing Burnham-on-Sea man Dean Tate 

The post said: "We have been waiting for answers for so long so it's a sad day for all of us.

"My handsome kind funny supportive strong fiancee can be laid to rest eventually and we can all know that we tried everything we possibly could to find him.

"He was so amazing and such an amazing father and friend and after everything he went through in life and still came out as amazing as he did he was one special man.

"I want to thank each and every person that helped with the search and the fundraising for the reward.

"Please allow me and Dean's family the grieving space we need."

A multi-agency incident took place over several hours on Saturday morning on Stert Island, off the coast of Burnham-on-Sea. 

Burnham Coastguard Rescue Team and Burnham Area Rescue Boats (BARB) Hovercrafts were tasked to access the area and provide safety for the team of police specialists.

A team of mud techs were flown across by BARB Hovercrafts followed by the police teams.

An assessment was made by the Coastguards for safety and then the person was recovered back to Burnham and Weston Coastguards on the Burnham shore.

The Burnham Coastguard Team have praised the community in the area for pulling together and being a "shining light on this sad day".

As well as his fiancee, Mr Tate leaves behind six sons and a step-daughter - and Sarah said he did everything he could to provide for his family.

A spokesman for Avon and Somerset Police, said on Saturday: "It is with great sadness that we confirm we've today found a body in the search for missing man Dean Tate."

"At 12.20pm on April 21 we were called by a member of the public who'd found a body on Stert Island - off Burnham-on-Sea.

"We've since recovered the body with the help of Her Majesty's Coastguard and BARB Search & Rescue.

"While it is too early for any formal identification, we believe it to be missing Highbridge man Dean Tate."

Detective Inspector Richard Horsfall added: "We've informed Dean's partner and family of the discovery and are providing them with support.

"This is not the outcome anyone wanted and our thoughts are with them during what is clearly a difficult time.

"The search for Dean lasted several weeks and I'd like to personally thank our partners and the communities of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge for their assistance during this time.

"While the community spirit shown has been warmly welcomed, I'd now ask Dean's loved ones are given the privacy they need."