Police have found a body in the River Irwell in the search for a missing firefighter.

Officers say the formal identification needs to be carried out, but they believe it is the body of Daniel Lee.

A huge search was launched after Mr Lee, a watch manager for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, went missing on Monday.

The news a body had been found has just been broken in the last few minutes.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “We’ve sadly found the body of a man in the search for Daniel Lee from Salford. He was last seen in the early hours of Monday morning after a night out with friends in Manchester.

"A body was recovered from the River Irwell in Ordsall, Salford on 25 August 2022 around 3.45pm.

“His family have been informed and request privacy at this time.

Appeal after firefighter goes missing

"There aren’t believed to be any suspicious circumstances and a file is being prepared for the coroner".

He added: "Formal ID has not yet taken place, but we do believe it to be Daniel."

Mr Lee was based at Agecroft Fire Station.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service's Chief Officer Dave Russel said in a statement: "Everyone at GMFRS is deeply shocked and saddened by the untimely death of our colleague watch maneger Dan Lee.

"Our thoughts are with Dan's family and friends.

"This is a tragic end to a very difficult week and not the outcome we all so desperately hoped for.

"On behalf of GMFRS, I want to thank Greater Manchester Police for their efforts in the search for Dan, as well as the colleagues across GMFRS and residents and partners from across our city region who have supported the search.

"Dan, who served with GMFRS for 16 years, was a popular and valued member of the GMFRS family and he will be greatly missed."

He was last seen leaving Mojos on Bridge Street in Manchester in the early hours of Monday 22 August 2022, following a night out with friends and colleagues.

Since then police have been searching for him, with firefighters from Bolton urging people to share the appeal.

An appeal was also issued an appeal via social media with the heartbreaking words: "My family need him home, they are broken", adding his daughter would be turning six.