A body believed to be that of missing pensioner Gordon Wilson has been found near Sible Hedingham.

The identification of the body cannot be confirmed until the teeth are compared to Mr Wilson’s dental records.

Gordon Wilson, 82, who has vascular dementia, went missing from his home in Leaden Roding on Sunday, October 25.

His daughter, Lesley Rankin, said: “The dental records haven’t come back yet, but his ID was in the pocket and the jacket was one of his.

“We definitely think it is him although it hasn’t been confirmed by the police.

“It was a bit of a shock when the police told us on Saturday.

“We were hoping we found him, but we weren’t expecting the call.”

The body was found by a grouse shooter at around 1.45pm on Saturday on a farm close to Wethersfield Road, Sible Hedingham.

The death is not being treated as suspicious.

Mrs Rankin said: “It was a nice day when he went missing and the countryside round there is lovely.

“He must have been having a lovely walk.

“It is reassuring the police are not treating it as suspicious.

“It was lovely that so many people were looking for him.

“Even now seeing some of the comments people have been writing on social media is lovely - he would have loved to read them.

“Everyone in Halstead and Sible Hedingham have been so nice and have really come together to help - more than I have ever seen.”

Residents from Halstead and Sible Hedingham had joined searches in the months proceeding his disappearance.

Essex Police has now suspended its search.

Another search organised by Sible Hedingham resident Susie Pink which was due to take place the following weekend has been cancelled.

Mr Wilson caught a bus from Chelmsford to Halstead and it is believed he then started walking towards Sible Hedingham, but was not seen after that.

He often went walking in the area with his wife before she died.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “The search for missing man Gordon Wilson has been suspended this evening, Saturday, January 23, following the discovery of a man’s body in a wooded area in Sible Hedingham.

“The body was found by a member of the public at around 1.45pm today.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious.

“No formal identification has taken place yet but Gordon’s family have been updated and the police search suspended.”