River Foss death victim Ben Clarkson drowned, coroner says

Thousands of posters and leaflets were handed out in an attempt to find Mr Clarkson

A man who went missing in York three weeks ago had drowned, a coroner has confirmed.

Ben Clarkson, 22, was last seen outside Fibbers Nightclub, on Stonebow, at 03:40 GMT on 2 March.

His body was discovered on Friday at Foss Bank, near to the entrance to Sainsbury's.

York coroner Donald Coverdale said a preliminary post mortem examination was carried out. He adjourned an inquest into Mr Clarkson's death until July.

Mr Clarkson's partner, Rachel Peatfield, told the BBC: "It has been horrible. It it is the worst possible outcome we could imagine and the emotions are still very raw.

"I believe it is just an accident and these things can happen. He was just the kindest, gentlest man you could meet."

Friends of Mr Clarkson had handed out 4,000 leaflets in the city in a bid to try and locate him.

Tributes have been placed near the river where his body was found.