Family told of body find

The family of missing Shropshire man Laurence Norton have been informed after a body was pulled from a reservoir at a county beauty spot, police said today.

A post-mortem was due to be carried out today on the body which was discovered by police divers in the Cardingmill Valley, Church Stretton, on Friday.

Maria Hawkaluk, spokeswoman for West Mercia Police, said formal identification had not yet taken place but said Mr Norton's next of kin had been told.

The 24-year-old, of Monkmoor Road, Shrewsbury, was classified as a high-risk missing person after his disappearance was reported by a family member just before 10pm on July 19.

Police believed he may have visited the Cardingmill Valley after his rucksack was found near a reservoir.

Miss Hawkaluk said: "The family of Laurence Edward Norton, who has not been since he left his home in Monkmoor Road on July 19, has been made aware of the discovery and will be kept informed of any developments."