The body of a former local press news editor who had been missing since last weekend has been found.

Tony Donnelly, who spent three years as news editor of the Evesham Journal before leaving in December, last made contact with a friend on 20 September, saying he was in the Worcestershire town.

Fears had been growing for the 58-year-old’s whereabouts after he initially went missing on 13 September.

Police confirmed that a body pulled from the Avon river, in Evesham on Thursday, was Mr Donnelly’s and a post-mortem was due to take place yesterday.

Evesham Journal editor John Murphy said: “This is extremely sad news for all of us.

“Tony was a journalist from the old school and a real wordsmith. Our deepest sympathies go to all of his family and friends.”

Tony grew up in Kirkcaldy and began his journalism career with the Bristol-based Western Daily Press.

During a 30-year reporting career, he worked for a Durham news agency, the Nottingham Evening Post and the now defunct Planet on Sunday.

He also owned and ran the North Notts News agency for four years based in Mansfield during the 1990s.

Mayor of Evesham Councillor Alan Booth told the Evesham Journal: “He was a very intelligent guy. An old style reporter, always sticking his nose in and trying to get any information he could.

“He liked a good book and a pint. He had a very, very dry sense of humour. He was a good bloke, good company and he will be sadly missed.”

Police said they were treating the death as unexplained but it was not thought to be suspicious.