Missing man found 'walking, talking and cold'

Severe storms had been battering the area. Photo / File / Thinkstock

A twenty-year-old who was missing for 24 hours on a mountain battered by severe storms has been found "walking, talking and cold", police say.

Nicholas John Ward went missing from a camp site at Mt Grey, in the Hurunui district of Canterbury on New Year's Day, wearing only light clothing and no shoes.

He had been camping with friends.

Police say Mr Ward was found late last night and Hurunui Land Search and Rescue were involved.