THE body of a woman has been recovered from the River Ouse in York city centre this morning, police have confirmed.

York Press:

North Yorkshire Police said it was called to reports from a member of the public about a body in the river shortly before 7am.

Following the reports, there was a large emergency services presence in the Ouse Bridge area.

A police spokeswoman commented: "Officers at the scene confirmed it was a body of woman in the river. 

"Skeldergate / North Street and Ouse Bridge were closed in order to work at the scene to recover the body from the water."

The spokeswoman added: "We are not in a position to release the identity of the body at this time."

York Press:

Low Ousegate, Nessgate and King Street were also shut. 

Ouse Bridge reopened again shortly after 7.30am.

York Press:

A footpath on one side of the bridge remained sealed off after it reopened.

Several police vehicles were parked up on Ouse Bridge, King's Staith, Low Ousegate and Nessgate in the morning. Fire and ambulance crews also attended King's Staith, and York Rescue Boat was at the scene.

A spokesman for the charity said: "We received a call out from North Yorkshire Police to assist with an ongoing incident near Kings Staith in York this morning at around 7am. Our on-call volunteers attended and stood by on Queen's Staith while the North Yorkshire FRS York Boat Crew assisted with the individual involved. We were stood down once FRS had recovered the individual."