Specialist police divers have been drafted in to help search for a missing father-of-three.

Ben Moss, aged in his 40s, disappeared while scuba diving off the coast of Dover on Monday morning.

He was thought to have been diving with a partner to a wreckage near the patrol memorial at St Margaret's-at-Cliffe when he vanished.

The alarm was raised when he failed to return to the boat, and he was reported missing to police at 3.40pm.

A large-scale search involving coastguard and lifeboat teams followed, but the operation was called off yesterday evening.

His heartbroken wife Rosie posted an emotional message on Facebook asking for time to grieve.

She said: "Thank you so much for all your kindness and support. Sadly the search has been terminated.

"Please allow us to grieve. Ben darling I miss you."

Today, Kent Police confirmed specialist divers from the Metropolitan Police will continue to search the water on their behalf.

A spokesman said: "Officers are working with partner agencies to establish the circumstances of the incident and locate the missing diver."

Mrs Moss had earlier issued a heartwrenching appeal for help on her Facebook page.

She said: "This is a desperate plea. My husband and my babies’ Daddy is missing. He was last seen scuba diving off the Dover coast at 11.30am yesterday.

"Please please look for him if you or anyone you know are out on the water or by the coast."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference 12-0844.