Body found in lake search for best man

Police divers searching for a best man who disappeared while swimming in a hotel lake at a wedding reception have recovered a body, it was revealed today.

Staffordshire Police said officers were now attempting to formally identify the body, which was found in a lake at Patshull Park Hotel, near Wolverhampton, at about 7pm last night.

An underwater search team from Nottinghamshire Police was drafted in to search for Patrick Cody after the 26-year-old disappeared late on Friday.

The emergency services were alerted to Mr Cody's disappearance at about 11.15pm and a police helicopter and thermal imaging equipment were used in the initial attempts to find him.

The family of Mr Cody, who was from the Dudley area, issued a statement yesterday, paying tribute to the Keele University graduate, who was set to begin a teacher training course at Birmingham University.

The statement read: "Patrick was a friendly, popular and much-loved son, brother and friend.

"He had a passion for music, literature and sport and a lively sense of humour.

"His whole family is devastated by the loss of a young man who loved life and brought such happiness to so many."