The family of an elderly man who went missing from his home on the north Shropshire border more than five months ago has been left distressed by the discovery of his body but say it has given them some closure.

The body of 79-year-old Gordon Beard, who went missing from his home address in Kestrel Drive, Loggerheads, on the morning of August 18 last year, was discovered on Sunday.

His body was found in undergrowth near Pheasant Walk in Loggerheads, just yards from where a football match was taking place, by a local man at 12.30pm.

Paying tribute to him, Mr Beard’s wife of 62 years, Florence Beard, and his two sons David and Alan, said he would be sadly missed.

The family said they would also like to thank the police, the community and the media for all their help and support during the investigation.

Yesterday, in a statement released by Mrs Beard and son David, they said: “Gordon will be sadly missed.

“The news although very distressing, at least ends the waiting and not knowing and allows us some kind of closure.

“I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the search for my father. We have been overwhelmed by the support and kindness shown, particularly from our local community, during this difficult time.”

Mr Beard retired in 1993 after a successful career in the mining industry. He was well respected in his field and had dedicated his working life to the National Coal Board.

He and his family had moved around the country with his career and eventually settled in Loggerheads where after 40 years he retired as a deputy director.

Inspector Louise Jarvie, of Kidsgrove Neighbourhood Policing Unit (NPU), said that Mr Beard’s death was not being treated as suspicious.

She added: “A post-mortem examination will be carried out as part of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death and a report will be sent to the coroner in due course.”

Police confirmed the body was found when a man walking his dog went into undergrowth to retrieve a ball which had gone astray from a nearby football match between Loggerheads and Baddeley Green football clubs.

Keith Farrell, of Loggerheads, and chairman of Loggerheads Football Club, said: “Police taped the area off and called the match off, which was right and proper.”

By Suzanne Roberts