The body of a former policeman has been recovered from Ullswater four years after he disappeared.

Clifford Purdham went missing during a diving expedition at the lake in October 1998.

His body was recovered in an operation involving police divers on Saturday.

It was led by Bill Smith, who was responsible for finding the remains of record-breaker Donald Campbell who died on Coniston Water in January 1967.

Diving club

A Cumbria police spokesman confirmed that Mr Purdham's body was found by a team which included police divers.

The officer also confirmed on Sunday that the body was that of Mr Purdham.

Mr Purdham died four years ago

He had been with members of a local diving club when he went missing.

A search was held at the time, but bad weather hampered the operation.

No trace of Mr Purdham was found at the time and none of his clothing or diving equipment was discovered.

A post mortem examination will be carried out on Tuesday.