'We fear the worst'

The search was resuming today for the pair described as a "lovely young couple."

But police, who have been searching since Monday for Lynn and Barry Collett, said they feared the worst.

Police search teams were today only able to make wading searches of the river today after heavy over night rain made conditions too dangerous for underwater searches.

The newlyweds have been missing since leaving their picturesque holiday home, Haughside Cottage, in Appletreewick for a romantic stroll along the River Wharfe four days ago.

Police investigating the disappearance of the couple today said although they continued to hope for the best a "terrible human tragedy" appeared to be unfolding.

The vicar who married them on Saturday has described them as a "lovely young couple" who had their lives before them.

Chief Inspector Ron Johnson, of Skipton police, said: "We continue to hope for the best, we fear the worst. Clearly, with every passing day, hope is giving way to the belief that the couple have met with a terrible accident and drowned together in a treacherous stretch of water.

"There are warning signs at various points along the river, but that stretch is particularly dangerous with hidden ledges and holes and strong undercurrents. I don't believe they went for a swim because as far as we know they were out walking. But it is all speculation."

Police say Lynn, a student nurse from Hook in Hampshire, was due to celebrate her 26th birthday on Wednesday. Her husband Barry is a 29-year-old computer operator from Surrey.

The couple were married in Hampshire and spent their wedding night in Berkshire before travelling up to their holiday cottage on Sunday.

The newlyweds were due to return home this weekend. They were last seen by the landlady of their holiday home at 10.30am on Monday. They were planning to make the three-mile walk along the river to Bolton Abbey.

The woman, who did not wish to be named, said: "It's very distressing. We warmed to them very much while they were here. It's very sad."

Hours after they set off the body of a man was reported to have surfaced then vanished during a flash flood at the bottom end of the Strid- a notoriously dangerous stretch of the river on the Bolton Abbey estate.

An underwater search unit was called out, but with levels of water rising four feet above average, conditions were too dangerous for divers to enter the water.

On Tuesday a red jacket was found in the river, with a key fob from the cottage where the pair were staying, in the pocket.

When police checked the cottage, they found their room filled with presents, cards and wedding cake.

Today the Rev Barbara Smith said: "They are a lovely couple and she was a radiant bride." She added that Lynn's family regularly attended Long Sutton Church, near Hook, where the couple were married. "Lynn wore a long dress and veil and it was what you would call a traditional village wedding.

"Now people are in a state of deep shock and we are still hoping they will be found alive."

She added: "They seemed a lovely young couple with everything to live for."

The distraught family of Mr Collett have refused to talk about the tragedy.

At the semi-detached family home in Camberley, Surrey, a tearful relative said: "We are simply too upset to say anything. At the moment we are just waiting for news."

Neighbours in the quiet street where the Collett family are understood to have lived for the last 10 years described Mr Collett as "quiet and affable."

Neighbour Neil Richardson said: "They are a family who have been here for quite some time. You often see them around."

Another neighbour said: "It's an awful tragedy if they have drowned. This was supposed to have been one of their happiest times and now something like this happens."

A statement from North Hampshire Hospital, in Basingstoke, where Mrs Collett works, said: "We are very worried and upset."

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