A BODY pulled from Weymouth Harbour last month can now be identified as that of missing Dorchester teenager Louis Harris.

The body of a man was recovered by police from Weymouth Harbour, close to the ferry terminal, early in the morning on March 15.

Police were assisted in the recovery by the RNLI lifeboat and ambulance crews.

Louis' family were informed when the body was found and the case was then passed to the coroner for formal identification to take place.

A Dorset Police spokeswoman told the Echo: "The body has been identified as that of missing Dorchester man Louis Harris.

"The family has been updated and our thoughts are with them at this time."

At the time that the body was discovered, Dorset Police confirmed that they were not treating the death as suspicious.

Louis was last seen on Weymouth Beach, close to the Pavilion on Sunday, February 14.

A major search operation was carried out following Louis' disappearance, with ground teams concentrating on the town centre, harbour and seafront.

Extensive underwater searches were carried out by specialist dive teams from Devon and Cornwall Police.

The underwater searches were called off on February 18, but police continued to pursue other enquiries.

Family and friends, meanwhile, carried out their own searches and appealed to residents who might have seen Louis.

Earlier in the investigation, Inspector Tony Burden said: "Louis is hardworking and is much loved by his friends and family who are desperate for any news on his whereabouts.

"His disappearance is tearing the family apart and our thoughts and hearts go out to them."

Insp Burden said that Louis had attended the Rendezvous nightclub on Saturday night with friends but became separated from them after leaving the venue. He headed towards the Pavilion, then Custom House Quay.

CCTV analysis by police revealed that Louis was last seen making his way along the quayside past the Harbour Master’s office, towards the town bridge, at 4.30am.

Cllr Christine James, Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, said: "I just offer condolences to the family. It is dreadful for them and everyone is going to be thinking of them.

"Hopefully now they will be able to lay him to rest."