A BODY recovered from the River Ouse over the weekend has been identified as that of Nicholas Lightowler, 57, of Primrose Lane, Leeds.

The body was discovered on Saturday, about 200 metres upstream of Clifton Bridge.

Mr Lightowler vanished after taking a motor cruiser on to the Ouse from Naburn Lock on August 2.

The damaged boat was found near Nether Poppleton and police divers and search teams scoured the river for days afterwards.

The boat had earlier been seen struggling to negotiate Skeldergate Bridge on the swollen river and police feared Mr Lightowler had been thrown overboard.

An inquest into his death will be opened and adjourned later this week.

Updated: 11:40 Wednesday, August 21, 2002