SPECIALIST officers searching for missing former England rugby player Tom Voyce found a body close to where he was swept away while trying to drive across a flood-swollen river, police said today.

Concerns were raised for the 43-year-old ex-wing on Sunday after he failed to return home after being out with friends on Saturday.

Northumbria Police said they faced “very challenging conditions, not least due to the river flow and the level being significantly heightened after the exceptionally heavy rain experienced over the weekend.”

Today, specialist officers from Northumbria Police’s marine unit made the sad find in the river near Abberwick Mill.

The force said formal identification was yet to take place but Voyce’s next of kin have been notified and were being supported by specialist officers.

Chief Superintendent Helena Barron, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is an extremely sad development and our thoughts very much continue to be with Tom’s loved ones.”

Officers do not believe there to be any third-party involvement and a report will be prepared for the coroner.