Body in Bath river is missing student James Bubear

Mr Bubear went missing in March

A body which was found in the River Avon in Bath has been confirmed as that of missing student James Bubear.

Mr Bubear, 19, from Llandrindod Wells, Powys, was last seen in CCTV footage walking along James Street West on 13 March during a night out with friends.

A post-mortem examination confirmed the body found was that of the teenager but the exact cause of death has not been established.

The Bath university student's death is not being treated as suspicious.

Mr Bubear's mother Vanda said in a statement that she was grateful for the support from the city.

"We would like to thank James's fellow students and the people of Bath for taking him as one of their own, and for the support they have given us in these last few difficult weeks.

"I would also like to thank them for their perseverance in trying to find James. Nothing seemed like it was too much trouble, and for that I am indebted to them."

River landowners

It comes as friends of James call for increased safety measures along the River Avon.

Friend Jenny Broughton said she wanted extra lighting and CCTV and was now petitioning the council.

Avon Fire and Rescue said the number of deaths and incidents in the river was "causing them concern".

A spokesman for Bath and North East Somerset Council said that there were a variety of landowners along the river.

Friends of James Bubear want more safety measures on the River Avon

But he added that they and Avon and Somerset Police had commissioned an independent report into what safety improvements could be made.

"This report will be presented to the relevant landowners for them to consider how any recommendations can be acted upon."

Ms Broughton said: "We want to petition the council on the prevention of river accidents.

"[We want] better lighting and CCTV and better signage along the river just to warn people... so they know it is dangerous."

Marion Flagg, the mother of Casper Flagg whose body was also found in the River Avon on Boxing Day in 2009, said she believed there were dangerous areas.

"It would be nice to see better lighting and to identify where blackspots are," she said.

"Perhaps we could have railings because there's nothing to stop you from walking straight from the Midland Bridge into the water.

"It's just a sheer drop and it's very dark."