THE family of a missing man from Dorset are being supported by police after it was announced the body of a man had been found in a river.

Police were contacted on Monday afternoon to reports of a body in the the River Stour at Tuckton, Bournemouth.

No identification has taken place at this stage.

The family of missing 70-year-old Andrew Latcham from Blandford has been made aware of this development.

Mr Latcham, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease, was last seen on CCTV leaving his supported accommodation in Park Road, Blandford at 3.30am on Saturday December 30.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "At 4.33pm on Monday, January 22 Dorset Police received a report that a body of a man had been found in the River Stour.

"Identification has not yet taken place, but the family of missing 70-year-old Andrew Latcham from Blandford Forum has been made aware of this development."

Extensive searches were carried out for more than two days after Mr Latcham had been reported missing, before they were stood down due to concerns over the safety of those searching in dangerous areas including rivers and floodplains.

Posters have been distributed and members of the public have helped the numerous agencies looking for Mr Latcham.

The search was extended from the Blandford area to locations Mr Latcham may be familiar with including the Blandford Trailway and Hamworthy in Poole, where he grew up.

Officers from Dorset Police's marine unit searched areas of the River Stour on January 6 and 7.