THE BODY of a man recovered from the River Wear yesterday has been formally identified.

Police today confirmed he was Peter Mark Ellerington, 45, who was a resident at a hostel in Durham Road, Chester-le-Street, County Durham.

He is thought to have left the premises at about 11.15 am yesterday.

His body was seen in shallow water at the north end of the town’s Riverside Park just over two hours later.

A post-mortem examination is to be carried out, but police say at this stage they are not treating the death as suspicious.

Officers will prepare a file for the coroner and an inquest is expected to open in the next few days.

However, they are keen to establish Mr Ellerington's movements from the time he left the hostel on Wednesday.

They are appealing for anyone who might have seen a man matching his description yesterday morning or lunchtime to get in touch.

Mr Ellerington was of heavy build and average height with thinning, grey hair.

At the time of his death he was wearing a brown jacket over a yellow t-shirt, and dark tracksuit bottoms.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact the officer in the case, Detective Sergeant Mick Bird through the non-emergency number, 101.