A body has been found washed up in a reed bed near Nacton.

It is believed to be that of Gavin Francis who went missing on New Year’s Eve last year.

A member of the public called police at 9.50am today after discovering the washed-up body at Orwell Country Park.

It was on the north side of the river opposite the marina and may have been there for some time.

The member of the public thought the body was that of a man but police have not yet confirmed this.

Police are working with the coastguard to recover the body.

Mr Francis left his home in Purdis Farm on December 31 for a bike ride. A bike believed to be his was later found near the Orwell bridge.

Several searches for the 44-year-old were made by police and the coastguard but they were all unsuccessful.

However there is a possibility the body could be that of one of two men who reportedly jumped from a ferry last month.

Two suspected immigrants were apparently seen diving off the Stena Britannica as it left Harwich on February 26 but were not found during the searches that followed.

Police are treating the death as unexplained.