Rory was last seen at about 0400 BST on Thursday

The body was spotted by a member of the public in the River Blyth, at about 1800 BST on Sunday, said police.

The teenager went missing on Thursday after a beach party with friends at Walberswick, near Lowestoft.

A Suffolk Police spokesman said: "The body was some distance down river approximately half way between Blythburgh and the sea entrance".

He said while formal identification of the male who had been dressed in shorts had yet to take place it was believed to be that of the missing teenager.

The spokesman said the death was not being treated as suspicious at this stage.

A post mortem examination will be carried out at the James Paget Hospital in nearby Gorleston.

Friends' appeal

Earlier on Sunday, friends had made an appeal for him to come home.

They last saw him at around 0400 BST at a beach party.

A major air and sea search has taken place for Rory in and around the Walberswick area.

The talented rugby player, who represented Suffolk at county level, was described as a sensitive and thoughtful teenager and a strong swimmer by his parents on Friday.