A MAN’S body was found in the River Foss in York last night.

It was discovered at around 5pm near the Sainsbury’s entrance on Foss Bank.

Formal identification has yet to be completed but the family of Ben Clarkson, who went missing three weeks ago tomorrow, have been informed of the discovery.

Officers cordoned off part of Foss Bank and also Huntington Road, near the foot of The Groves and the junction with Heworth Green and Monkgate. An ambulance was also called and divers went into the water to recover the body.

Earlier in the day, police had returned to the Foss as part of the ongoing search for Mr Clarkson, 22, who was last seen in Layerthorpe at around 3.40am on March 2.

The body is the second to be found in one of York’s rivers this month.

Three weeks ago, the body of student Megan Roberts, 20, was found in the Ouse at Acaster Malbis, six weeks after she had gone missing following a night out in the city-centre.

Police, council officials and representatives of both York’s universities will meet on Tuesday to discuss ways of improving river safety in the city. The river safety summit is being held at York St John University.

One petition calling for action has generated 19,000 signatures and Megan’s friends have been campaigning for a review of safety measures. Earlier this month, ahead of the summit, the River Ouse Safety Group said it was determined to work to prevent river-related tragedies where possible.

The group said: “We urge everyone who is out and about in the city centre to watch out for each other and stay together when heading home so that should an accident occur, there is someone to raise the alarm.”

The group includes City of York Council, North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, the Canal & River Trust, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, York Boat and York Boat Rescue.

Before last night’s discovery, a candlelit vigil for Ben had already been arranged for 5.30pm today at York Minster.