The 19-year-old had not been seen for 11 days and clothes belonging to the teenager were found on Thursday on open land south of the Dorset town near cliffs.

A body was found today on land south of Swanage, close to where the clothes were discovered.

Police said this evening they were "confident" the body was hers and were still treating the death as "unexplained".

It came after hundreds of people joined searches for the missing teen.

In an emotional statement tonight, Gaia’s sister Clara said: “I just want to tell everybody that every inch, every minute of your hard work has been absolutely worth it.

“She is, I’m not going to say was and I never will, she is the absolute light of my life.

“So beautiful, so emotionally wise and intelligent and so passionate and artistic and creative and understanding and I will always, always, always be one of three.”

Marienna Pope-Weidemann, Gaia’s cousin, said: “We want to thank each and every one of you for everything you’ve done.

“If there is one ray of light in this nightmare it is the compassion, humanity and community spirit that you’ve shown over the last 10 days.

“Your dedication and selflessness for a girl that many of you don’t even know has been staggering and one of the few things that kept us going.

“This afternoon the emergency services found Gaia’s body. We’re absolutely devastated and unable to put those feelings of loss into words.

“We thank you for everything you’ve done. Our little bird has flown but will always be with us.”

Detective Superintendent Paul Kessell, of Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Although the body has yet to be formally identified, we are confident that we have found Gaia. Her family have been informed and are being supported by specially-trained officers.

"Our thoughts remain with all of her family and friends at this very traumatic time.

"They have requested privacy and that we make no further media releases at this point.

“The coroner has been notified and further forensic examination will continue. This will guide the investigation in respect of the circumstances of the death which at this time remains unexplained."

Hundreds of volunteers had joined searches around Swanage this afternoon to find Gaia.

Earlier, addressing people who has gathered at Durlston Country Park, distraught father Richard Sutherland, thanked them.

He said: "I just want to say a massive thank you for coming out. It is very heart warming and the support gives us a lot of hope."

The mass searches had been organised by the Find Gaia group on Facebook and saw volunteers gather at the country park, near the main beach and to the north of the town looking for Miss Pope, who suffers from severe epilepsy.

Since she disappeared hundreds of missing person posters have been distributed across the county.

Detectives have arrested and released under investigation three people, a 71-year-old woman, a 19-year-old man and a 49-year-old man, named locally as Paul Elsey.

On Friday Miss Pope's mother, Natasha, said she has not given up hope her daughter will be found alive - saying "I believe miracles can happen".

In a message posted on social media, Ms Pope said: "I believe in this community and I believe miracles can happen.

"I am holding onto hope, along with Gaia's sisters and the whole family who are my strength. Please hold on with us.

"My eternal thanks to everyone who is out there searching for my little girl. Please come out over the weekend and do what you can. Every one of you makes a difference."

Earlier, Mr Sutherland said he feared his daughter's epilepsy may have played a part in her disappearance as she had been warned by doctors she was at risk of sudden death from the condition.

Miss Pope has not been seen since about 4pm on November 7 in Manor Gardens, Swanage.

An hour earlier she was captured on CCTV buying an ice cream inside St Michael's Garage in the town, having been driven there by a relative.

She was said to be wearing a red checked shirt with white buttons, grey and white woven leggings and white trainers. The black jacket she had on was recovered from an address in Manor Gardens.

Forensic investigations have concluded at two properties in Manor Gardens, which are believed to be the homes of a 71-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man.

The pair were released under investigation on Tuesday after being arrested on suspicion of murder the previous day.