THE body pulled from the River Ouse in York has been confirmed as missing deaf man Brian Sturdy.

Police launched a huge search for the 42-year-old after he disappeared from his home in Welton Avenue, off Boroughbridge Road, York, more than four weeks ago.

A post-mortem revealed that the body found floating in water under Clifton Bridge, on Sunday, was Mr Sturdy.

His mother, Betty, 69, who has two other sons and a daughter, made an emotional plea in the Evening Press on Saturday for information about his whereabouts. She spoke of her heartache at his disappearance and the fact he was not at home to celebrate his 42nd birthday.

Mr Sturdy, who worked at Grays Newsagent, in James Street, two nights a week and was a regular drinker in The Beagle pub, Thanet Road, suffered a nasty fall in the city centre the day before he disappeared and the police had taken him home.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said an inquest was likely to be opened and adjourned later this week.

The death is not being treated as suspicious. Tests were being conducted today to determine the cause of death.

Updated: 10:13 Wednesday, March 23, 2005