POLICE have named the man whose body was found in the river Severn last night.

He has been identified as missing man David Smith.

David Smith was reported missing from Bridgnorth on Sunday, November 27.

Formal identification was confirmed this morning (Friday) and Mr Smith's next of kin have been informed.

Police are not treating the death as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the coroner.

The family have asked that their privacy be respected at this time.

Emergency services gathered near Bevere Lock, at Grimley, after Mr Smith's body was discovered yesterday evening.

Police, paramedics and firefighters first went to the Holt Fleet pub, in Holt Heath, after a member of the public reported seeing a body going over the weir at around 3.40pm.

The teams then moved to The Camp at Grimley before officers searched along the river by foot.

West Mercia Police said Mr Smith's body was found shortly before 5pm.

A spokesman said yesterday (Thursday): "Police were alerted at about 3.40pm on Thursday 2 February, following a report from a member of the public.

"Emergency services have been working at the scene and shortly before 5pm the body was located.

"The body has not yet been identified but is believed to be a man."

Many vehicles including police vans, ambulances, fire engines and a fire and rescue boat gathered at Lock Lane.

Colin Russell, the lock keeper, said: "A policeman came and said they'd come from Camp Hill.

"He said a body had been seen at Holt Fleet.

"They just turned up and had a look around.

"Then all the others started turning up.

"I've never seen so many vehicles."

Emergency services began leaving the scene at around 6.30pm.

Worcester News reader Clare Fisher said that there were "more emergency crew than I've ever seen" at the incident, including police cars and unmarked cars, forensic teams, boats, ambulances, and fire engines.

And local residents reported seeing a helicopter over the area while the search was taking place.