Body found on river bed near Bewdley

A body pulled from the River Severn is believed to be a father of two who disappeared from his Kidderminster home 18 months ago.

It was discovered after police brought in an underwater search and recovery company to scour the riverbed.

Damian Tudge, aged 41, has not been seen since the early hours of November 14, 2008, despite police searches and media appeals.

Officers said today that his blue Peugeot 205 had been pulled from the river near Bewdley Town FC on Wednesday evening, and that a body found inside was believed to be that of Mr Tudge.

Formal identification has yet to take place and the death is being treated as unexplained.

Mr Tudge worked as a welder at his brother-in-law's firm, Riteweld, in Amblecote, Stourbridge.

His wife Jane and children Jade, aged 12, and Daryl, 11, made a series of appeals in a bid to find out what had happened to him.

The B4194 Switchback was closed between Bewdley and Stourport as heavy lifting equipment was brought to the scene.

The river had already been searched but police wanted to try again using new equipment from the USA.

Worcestershire Coroner Geraint Williams has been informed and a post mortem is expected in the next few days.

Police said forensics teams were carrying out investigation on the car in a bid to discover how it came to be in the river.

Spokesman Dylan Evans said the forensic examination would be key.

Mr Tudge's family issued a emotional appeal for him to get in touch at Christmas saying the best present would be to know he was safe.

His disappearance was also featured on BBC1's Missing Live last year.