UPDATE: An elderly hiker missing for three days in freezing conditions in Victoria’s alpine region has been found dead on Sunday morning.

Police Search and Rescue with the assistance of Bush Search and Rescue members were searching for a missing elderly man Leslie Southwell.

The 88-year-old man was hiking with his friends in North East Victoria’s Alpine region over the last eight days.

On Thursday September 14 they were walking 4.7km trek from Cleve Cole Memorial Hut to Michelle Hut where they became separated.

Police and family members hold concerns for Leslie’s welfare due to his age and the weather conditions in the Alpine area.

Leslie was described as about 167cm with a thin build and short grey hair.

He was last seen wearing a dark Gore-Tex top and bottom and he was carrying a royal blue back pack and is well equipped for the environment carrying 3 days of food and an orange single man tent.