Reservoir body is missing man, 24

The body of a man pulled from a reservoir at a south Shropshire beauty spot has been formally identified as that of missing Shrewsbury man Laurence Edward Norton.

The 24-year-old, of Monkmoor Road, went missing from his home on July 19.

He had last been seen at about 10am and was reported missing by his family the following day.

An extensive search was launched by police around the Cardingmill Valley, near Church Stretton, where Mr Norton's rucksack had been found near the reservoir by a member of the public.

Specialist water search teams the Severn Area Rescue Association and the South Wales Police Underwater Search Team were drafted in to aid the search for Mr Norton.

His body was found by police divers on Friday morning and was formally identified yesterday.

While he was missing, Mr Norton had been classified by officers as "high-risk".

Police said Mr Norton had cycled to Cardingmill Valley on July 17 but returned home later on.

West Mercia Police spokeswoman Maria Hawkaluk said today police were treating Mr Norton's death as unexplained.

"We are not looking for anyone else in connection with the death at this stage", she added.

An inquest on Mr Norton will be opened by the Coroner for South Shropshire, Mr Anthony Sibcy, in due course.