POLICE officers searching for missing person Anthony Smith have recovered a body from the River Wharfe at Bolton Abbey, near Skipton.

The discovery was made by a member of the public today (Wednesday).

Although formal identification is yet to take place, officers believe the body is that of missing Essex man Anthony Smith.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: "Anthony’s family have been informed of today’s news and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

"We are not currently treating the death as suspicious."

Police appealed for help in finding Mr Smith last weekend. He was last seen at the Red Lion Hotel, Burnsall, at 4.30am on Friday (July 19).