The body that was found by police underwater search teams in the River Dee near Farndon has been named at an inquest opening. 

John Alfred Stinton, aged 72, of Herbert Jennings Avenue, Wrexham, was found dead by police on April 1, after being reported missing on February 14. 

At the opening of the inquest in Ruthin on Tuesday (April 19), John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales East and Central confirmed that Mr Stinton was found by an underwater search team on April 1, seven weeks after initially being reported missing. 

Mr Stinton, a retired engineer from Chester was reported missing by concerned family members on February 14, when a search response including drones, dogs and the underwater team started. 

His car, a red Kia Stonic, was located, with the keys inside on the A534 near Holt and Farndon.

Mr Gittins said three witnesses saw a man on the bridge near the River Dee, between 8.30am and 8.50am on the morning of February 14.

Searches continued but were hampered by Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin. 

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The body of Mr Stinton was found near Townfield Lane on April 1 and was pronounced dead at 12.30pm.

DCI Alun Oldfield formally identified the body by his wet clothes, watch and a tattoo of his wife's name. 

A post mortem has been conducted by Dr Mark Atkinson, though the cause of death has been deferred to when the inquest resumes later this year.

The hearing was adjourned to a full inquest on a date to be fixed.