The body of a female found in the River Thames yesterday is not that of teenager Amanda Dowler, Surrey police said today.

A spokeswoman says dental records have proved the body was not that of the 13-year-old who was known as Milly.

The body had been under water for some time but police say it is difficult to determine how long.

The spokeswoman adds it is too early to give further details but the Dowler family is being kept fully informed.

The stretch of the Thames where the body was found is just a short distance from Walton-on-Thames, where Milly went missing on March 21.

Milly was last heard from when she phoned her father, Robert, to say she was heading home.

A massive police hunt was launched but there has so far been only limited information or clues as to her whereabouts.

Mr and Mrs Dowler have issued a number of pleas for her safe return, including an appeal on BBC's Crimewatch programme, which also staged a reconstruction of her last known movements.

The couple also admitted they feared their daughter may have been abducted but police said it was more likely Milly ran away with someone.

Celebrities including Pop Idol Will Young and actor Jonathan Pryce have joined the appeals for information.