A body has been found in the River Ouse by police searching for a man who fell from a bridge into the water.

North Yorkshire Police said identification of the man, who had fallen into the water from the Ouse Bridge in York in the early hours of Sunday, is not expected until Monday at the earliest. His family are due to be informed.

The body was spotted near Ouse Bridge at 2.45pm and recovered by 4.25pm. The scene was cordoned off to the public.

Inspector Dave Hunter said: "This is clearly a very tragic incident and it is important that the man's family receive specialist police support at this difficult time. We ask that people show the family respect and allow them to grieve in private.

"We realise the emergency response to this incident has caused a great deal of disruption during a busy day in York. We thank people and nearby businesses for their continued patience and support during the operation, particularly those who have provided vital information to assist police inquiries."

Witnesses raised the alarm at around 3.15am after seeing a man, described by police as being aged in his late teens to early 20s, fall.

Despite their efforts to throw him a lifebelt, the man was swept away by the current before emergency services arrived and there were fears he was unable to swim to safety.

According to onlookers, he fell from the middle arch of the bridge and is thought to have been carried toward Skeldergate Bridge.

A North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue boat was launched and officers from North Yorkshire Police combed the river banks while a police helicopter assisted from above.

Officers are asking anyone with information about the investigation to call North Yorkshire Police.