A body has been found near Walton in the search for a man missing in the Thames.

On Saturday (February 8), police said that body had been recovered on Friday near Waterside Drive in Walton-on-Thames.

A member of the public alerted police on Friday evening, a spokesperson for Surrey Police said:

"Officers were called to the River Thames near Waterside Drive in Walton-on-Thames by a member of the public, following reports of a man’s body in the water around 3.40pm Friday afternoon (February 7).

"Emergency services attended the scene and sadly the body of a man has been recovered from the river."

The body has not yet been formally identified but that process is expected to take place soon.

However, police said they believe it is "connected" to the search for Gary Peter Sturgess, aged 60, from St Neots in Cambridge, who went missing on January 18 earlier this year.

Sturgess's family have been informed and asked for their privacy to be respected.

In a previous statement, they paid tribute to Gary:

"Gary was a conscientious and magnanimous man who people couldn’t help but feel inspired by," the statement read.

“He was an avid animal lover who would continue to fight for animal rights as well as being a dedicated vegan.

“Gary was living his dream, being on the river being close to nature and everything that he loved. He was on his journey from Surrey to get his beloved boat back to St Neots on Saturday.

"Gary was a father to four children and two grandchildren who will miss him deeply."