THE search for a Stourport man who has been missing for more than two months has ended in heartbreak as his body was found in the river.

Andy Cooper was last seen at his home in Stourport on Wednesday, January 4 but, after he didn’t turn up at work, a search began.

But yesterday (Friday, March 17) at around midday, police were called to Holt Fleet where a body was recovered from the River Severn.

Family and friends of the 44-year-old have reported on social media that the body has been confirmed as Mr Cooper.

They also thanked people for their help and support in trying to trace Mr Cooper, who grew up in Walsall.

Family member Laura Jackson, commented on Shuttle sister paper Worcester News’ website this afternoon to thank the emergency service workers who had been involved in recovering the body from the river Severn north of Worcester.

She said: "A big thank you to everyone that helped yesterday as a family we are truly devastated and will miss him always xxxx.”

In the ‘Missing Andy Cooper’ Facebook page, a post read: “To everyone who has helped with sharing posts over the last three months, I am devastated to say that yesterday a body was recovered from the river and was confirmed as Andy.

“Our thoughts are with the family at this very sad time and we send condolences to all of his loved ones.”

West Mercia Police confirmed that the body found in the River Severn was Andrew.

A spokesman for West Mercia Police said: "Formal identification has taken place and Mr Cooper'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."