A BODY recovered from a riverbank is not that of missing man Chris Baker, police have confirmed.

Officers today (Monday, January 14) resumed their underwater search for missing York accountant Mr Baker, 29, who disappeared before Christmas.

He was last seen jumping over the wall of Skeldergate Bridge into Castle Gardens, opposite Clifford’s Tower, at 7.15am on December 20 after abandoning his car on the bridge. It is believed he was driving to his job as an accountant for the City Healthcare Partnership at Hull Royal Infirmary.

Yesterday (Sunday, January 13), a day before the underwater search for Mr Baker was resumed, police pulled a body from a muddy riverbank at Acaster Malbis. It was spotted by a member of the public who was walking in the area.

North Yorkshire Police say the body was not that of Chris Baker, but have not yet been able to identify the remains, or say if the person was male or female.

They say they are looking into whether the person may be from outside the area. One theory police are considering, is whether the person entered the water downstream of North Yorkshire and was carried upstream by tidal currents which affect the River Ouse.

The body has now been taken to York Hospital and police will continue their enquiries to establish the body's identity.

This will include speaking to neighbouring police forces. Earlier today, police divers resumed their search of the river in freezing temperatures, but no sign of the man was found, according to a spokesman for the police.

Searches of the river have previously taken place, but have been hampered by high water levels following recent heavy rain.

On December 29, four divers from Humberside Police’s marine unit used sonar equipment along the Ouse between Naburn and the city centre.

Officers from the Regional Underwater Search Unit today (Monday, January 14) focused on the Skeldergate area in their search.

Anybody who has information about Mr Baker's disappearance should phone North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for the control room.