POLICE searching for a man accused of serious sexual offences have found a body.

The body was found in Claines, near Worcester, just off Hawford Lock Lane just after 2.15pm today following a call from a member of the public.

While he has not been formally identified, it is believed to be Garry Foster, who had missing from Dudley since Sunday.

It is thought Mr Foster committed suicide with a firearm which has been recovered from the scene.

Police had spent the day searching large parts of Worcestershire for Mr Foster who was believed to have a 12-bore pump-action shotgun with him and was thought to be using self-taught survival skills to lay low in remote countryside.

Yesterday they revealed that Mr Foster had been accused of serious sexual offences shortly before he went missing.

Following the discovery of the body, West Midlands Police Superintendent Andy Parsons thanked media and members of the public who had called police with information: “Our aim was always to find Mr Foster. Unfortunately our searches appear to have come to a tragic end.

“We continue to support the family with specially trained officers."

Up to 75 officers, including armed officers from both West Midlands and West Mercia police had been involved in the search for Mr Foster who disappeared from his home in Dudley on Sunday afternoon.

He was said to have links with Suckley, Alfrick, and Clifton-upon-Teme in Worcestershire.

Mr Foster's blue-silver Mitsubishi Pajero had been spotted near Kidderminster at 3.26pm on Sunday but there had been no further sightings of the 53-year-old.

Speaking before hte discovery of the body Supt Parsons, said: “Mr Foster disappeared after allegations were made against him; these were of a serious sexual nature against people known to him and are part of a separate investigation by West Midlands Police."