Body found in search for missing commentator

Police searching for a missing racing commentator said today they had found a body.

Doug Fraser, 54, was well-known in the racing world for his commentaries for betting shops, radio and TV from courses in the North of England and Scotland.

The alarm was raised on Saturday June 5 when Mr Fraser, whose full name was George Douglas Fraser, failed to turn up at Hexham Races where he was due to work.

Today, West Yorkshire Police said a body was found in the River Aire in central Leeds at about 4pm yesterday.

A force spokesman said: "Police searching for George Douglas Fraser recovered a body from the River Aire in Leeds.

"The body was recovered from the river close to the Millennium footbridge.

"Positive identification is due to take place on Wednesday as part of the post-mortem."

Mr Fraser was booked to work for broadcasting firm RaceTech at Hexham and the company's chief executive, Brad Higgins, said he raised the alarm when all attempts to contact him failed.

Mr Higgins said last week it was "completely out of character" for him to fail to show up for work.