Walkers find body of missing doctor

The body of missing children's doctor Richard Stevens has been found by walkers in the Lake District, police said today.

Dr Stevens was last seen on 20 July last year when he arrived for work at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

Police said the death is not thought to be an accident but there were no suspicious circumstances. In a statement, Dr Stevens's family said they had never given up hope that he was still alive and were "devastated" by his death.

The eminent haemotologist disappeared from his office, leaving his jacket and briefcase behind.

On the day he vanished he arrived at the hospital at

7.10am, parked his car and walked through the doors, his movements captured on CCTV. His car was left in the car park and his passport was at home in Sale, Cheshire.

His mobile phone had been switched off ever since. None of his credit or cashpoint cards had been used.

Greater Manchester Police made clear that they did not believe the father of three was murdered and may have "taken it upon himself to go away".

The family's statement said: "Over the last six months we have tried to remain positive and always believed he was still alive. We are absolutely devastated."

His wife, Eirwen, said in an interview in December that her husband had been very tired and had been dealing with some particularly tough cases at work. Dr Stevens, who had been married for 31 years, had three children and was a leading supporter of child haemophilia charities.