THE body of a Bournemouth man whose disappearance prompted a major police search has been found in the River Stour.

Peter King, of Uplands Road, was reported missing by his family on Tuesday evening.

At around 12.30pm on Wednesday, officers found a body in the river near Throop Mill.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "While formal identification has not yet taken place, it is believed to be that of 78-year-old Peter, who was last seen at 11am yesterday.

"His family have been informed of the discovery and the coroner has been notified.

"His death is not being treated as suspicious and our thoughts are with Peter's family at this difficult time."

His BMW 2 series car was located at Throop Mill car park on Tuesday night, prompting a search of the surrounding area.

As the search progressed, Chief Inspector Steve White, of Dorset Police, said: "Dorset Search and Rescue are supporting us and a visual search of the River Stour is also taking place in the Iford Bridge area."

Fire crews from Springbourne, Redhill and Poole also assisted in the search for him on Tuesday night.

The police helicopter carried out an aerial search of the area, which was within half a kilometre of the weir at Throop Mill, and included a number of reed beds.

The Dorset Police marine section attended, and at least 20 firefighters and police personnel were spotted on the bank kitting up in dry suits, before searching the dense reed beds lining the river.