POLICE today confirmed that a body found near to the River Tyne in Newcastle is that of missing student Duncan Gibbon.

The body of the 21-year-old Edinburgh University physics undergraduate was spotted on an embankment near to the High Level Bridge, not far from where he was last seen alive.

Mr Gibbon, of Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was last seen leaving the Fever Bar, on Akenside Hill, during a friend's 21st birthday celebrations in Newcastle, late on Saturday night.

Police were informed of his disappearance as concern grew when he had not been seen by friends by the following afternoon.

An extensive search in the Quayside area was carried out by Northumbria Police, who reported finding the body yesterday afternoon.

A force spokesman said today: "It can be confirmed the body discovered in the area of Newcastle Quayside yesterday afternoon is that of Duncan Gibbon, aged 21, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, who was reported missing after a night out with friends on Saturday."

A post-mortem examination is to take place to establish the cause of death, although police were unable to confirm when a pathologist would be carrying out the autopsy.

Following his weekend disappearance Mr Gibbons' parents, Simon and Kate, and younger brother Jake, 19, a Newcastle University student, have made appeals to anyone who may have seen him since leaving the Fever Bar.