A dramatic new lead has emerged in the seven-month search for missing Great Yarmouth man Derick Tempest with the discovery of a body in the River Yare near the Berney Arms.

A dramatic new lead has emerged in the seven-month search for missing Great Yarmouth man Derick Tempest with the discovery of a body in the River Yare near the Berney Arms.

The body was spotted at the isolated beauty spot on the marshes near Yarmouth by a member of the public at about 5pm on Friday and a post mortem examination will be carried out today.

It is understand that pending a positive identification being made, detectives have delayed plans to resume their search of the river by police divers.

Father-of-three Mr Tempest, 30, of Nottingham Way, was last seen on October 28 walking along the town's Blackfriars Road towards Hall's Garage in nearby Camden Place.

Forensic evidence discovered in the workshop quickly led police to believe he was murdered there and they suspect his body was dumped in the river that night after being moved in a white van belonging to garage proprietors Jim Hall, 60, and Andrew Ventham, 49.

Mr Hall and Mr Ventham were found dead in their garage five days after Mr Tempest's disappearance having apparently committed suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning.

A 24-year-old local man was arrested before Christmas in connection with the alleged murder but he was released from his bail last week.

Det Chief Insp Ricky Munns has pursued the investigation with a team of up to 15 officers but appeals relating to CCTV images of the white van driving around Yarmouth on the evening of Mr Tempest's disappearance have drawn a blank from the public.

Police divers have searched the River Yare from Haven Bridge to the harbour mouth without making any significant finds.

It is understood that until the discovery of the body they were preparing to resume the search after requesting a barge to be moved.

The long search for Mr Tempest has become increasingly agonising for his partner Sarah Sherfield, 28, and mother Lesley Tempest, 50.

In a Christmas-time appeal for the public to come forward with information, Miss Sherfield described how it broke her heart to hear the children asking where their father was.