LAW graduate Daniel Steele, of Abbotskerswell, is the driving force behind a major social media campaign to help find four British sailors missing after their yacht capsized in the Atlantic.

Mr Steele, 21, was co-ordinating an online petition calling on the US coastguards to resume their search for 22-year-old James Male.

As it grew to more than 200,000, coastguards bowed to public pressure and began a further search.

Today, the government sent an RAF Hercules to join the search while a further three planes and six ships have also been deployed.

Mr Male is one of four British sailors whose 40ft yacht Cheeki Rafiki got into difficulties 620 miles east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

Mr Steele, whose girlfriend Zoe Male is Mr Male's sister, is currently in Southampton, supporting the family.

Speaking to the Advertiser, Mr Steele said: 'We have very strong evidence to suggest they are on a life raft.'

Currently working as a manager at the Kingsteignton Lidl store, he said the family was 'very strong' He said: 'Given the circumstances, everyone is holding up really well but we have such a purpose, it's keeping us going although we are getting very little sleep.'