Ian Bell: Body in River Wear is missing boy

Police have found the body of an eight-year-old boy who disappeared after falling into the River Wear in County Durham.

Ian Bell, from Sunnybrow, was playing with friends when he was swept away near Crook on 27 April.

Durham Police said that the body of the boy had been found downstream from Page Bank Bridge.

A spokesman for the force said it had offered condolences to Ian's family "at this difficult period".

"Durham Constabulary would also like to thank all those involved in the search for Ian and ask that the family is left in peace at this very sad time," the spokesman said.

He added the coroner had been informed and an inquest would be held in due course.

A 13-mile (21km) stretch of the River Wear was searched by police with help from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue, Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue, the county council's civil contingency unit and community volunteers.

A specialist underwater camera team from Derbyshire, Watersafe UK Search and Rescue, also assisted in the search.

Ian is thought to have fallen into the river after a tree branch he was holding snapped.