A BODY, believed to be that of missing man Mark Maclay, was found in the River Wey near Moor Park Lane, Farnham, at around 10.45am today (May 12).

Mr Maclay, 62, was last seen at around 9pm near the Lidl supermarket in Dogflud Way, Farnham, on January 27, and his possessions later found on the banks of the River Wey at the Farnham Maltings.

"Although formal identification is yet to take place, Mr Maclay’s family are aware and are being given the appropriate support," said a police spokesman. "Our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time."

The spokesman added enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the death, "although it is not believed to be suspicious or that there is any third party involvement at this time".

"We would like to thank everyone who shared our appeal and assisted with the search," the spokesman continued.

Mark was a colourful character and a popular member of the Farnham community, where he would often be seen walking the streets and attending town events alongside his close friend of almost 30 years, and another much-loved town character, Gilly Stewart.

A former "champion swimmer at Cambridge", says Gilly, Mark was also a keen historian, published author and former volunteer at the Aldershot Military Museum.

Mark was a regular Herald contributor, and recently wrote a reflection on the area’s role in the D-Day landings to mark the 75th anniversary of said event in June 2019.

Speaking to the Herald exactly three weeks after Mark was last seen at Lidl in Dogflud Way on January 27, story-teller and Farnham Castle guide Gilly said she “felt sick” and had “hardly eaten” since her friend went missing.

Gilly, who shared Mark’s love of opera and ballet, said: “Mark and I used to walk down the streets together and, as much as I love Farnham, he’s just everywhere. It’s the not knowing, it’s so painful.”

Gilly added at the time that her friend “lives life on the edge” but is a “real character” with a “great sense of humour”. He had previously lived on the streets and in campsites, she said, as well as in The Bourne for many years where he was “well known”. She added he was most recently living in Ash.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to wants him back. They just want to see him walking around again,” she said.

Police divers were called in to help with the search for Mark after his jacket and backpack were found near the bank of the River Wey near Farnham Maltings.

But Gilly said Mark was a “champion swimmer at Cambridge” in his younger years and was a “strong chap”, so was doubtful that he would have slipped into the river and drowned.

She added he was “perfectly happy” and “cheerful” when they said goodbye to each other earlier on January 27 – and so is convinced he didn’t take his own life “because he liked life too much”.

“Everyone is on the lookout for him,” she continued. “He is such a warm and intelligent man, and the community and his family really misses him.”