A BODY was retrieved from the water near Reading Bridge on Tuesday morning.

Emergency services were called to Caversham shortly before 10am to reports of a man in the water.

Paramedics, police and fire all attended, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Detective inspector David Turton, of Reading Force CID, said: “We are investigating the circumstances of this incident in which a man sadly died.

"We are appealing for the public’s help. Did you see a man matching the description of the deceased man enter the water or near the water?

“The man was last seen in Reading on Monday morning (6/11) so it is possible he entered any time between then and when his body was located.

“The man has not yet been formally identified however we believe we know the man’s identity. Our enquiries to trace his next of kin are ongoing.”

The man’s death is not being linked to a separate incident in the same area shortly before 2.30am yesterday in which another man entered the water.

He was issued with a penalty notice for wasting police time.

Police are treating the death as unexplained but not suspicious.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "We were called yesterday (November 7) at 9.55am to a report of a body seen in the water near Reading Bridge in Caversham.

"Our officers attended and the fire and rescue service had rescued the body of a man from the water.

"Ambulance staff also attended, but sadly the person was confirmed to be deceased.

"The death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious at this time.

"The man is white, was wearing black or dark coloured jeans, a dark coloured Liverpool FC shirt, black trainers with neon green soles and a belt with a large silver buckle. He has grey hair and a grey goatee beard."

Several fire crews were deployed in order to pull the unknown man from the water, but efforts to save his life were in vain.

A spokesman for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service added: "At 9.58am on Tuesday, November 7, Thames Valley Fire Control Service received a call from Thames Valley Police to reports of a person in the water at Reading Bridge in Caversham.

"Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service crews from Wokingham Road, Dee Road, the water rescue unit and boat from Caversham Road and the multi-role vehicle from Maidenhead were sent to the scene.

"Firefighters retrieved the body from the water and then handed the incident over to Thames Valley Police.

"Crews were on the scene for around an hour and a half."