Police find body in search for Nicola Bulley with St Michael's on Wyre in mourning - latest updates

A village was in mourning today 24 hours after police searching for missing mum-of-two Nicola Bulley found a body in the river near to where she was last seen.

Police in Lancashire confirmed on Sunday that a formal identification has yet to be made, but said Ms Bulley's family had been informed of the development.

The 45-year-old disappeared while walking her springer spaniel Willow in the village of St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire, after she dropped her two daughters - aged six and nine - off at school on January 27.

Police have said their 'main working hypothesis' was that she fell into the River Wyre.

On Sunday, the news that a body had been pulled from the river near where she went missing was confirmed.

Police said officers were called to reports of a body in the water shortly after 11.30am. The force said it was unable to confirm whether the body is that of the missing mum at this stage.

Police said in a statement: "This morning, Sunday, 19 February, you may be aware of police activity around the river near to St Michaels. We want to provide you with an update on that activity.

"We were called today at 11:36am to reports of a body in the River Wyre, close to Rawcliffe Road.

"An underwater search team and specialist officers have subsequently attended the scene, entered the water and have sadly recovered a body.

"No formal identification has yet been carried out, so we are unable to say whether this is Nicola Bulley at this time. Procedures to identify the body are on-going. We are currently treating the death as unexplained.

"Nicola’s family have been informed of developments and our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times. We ask that their privacy is respected."

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