A MAN who entered the River Avon at Challymead Bridge in Melksham on Thursday has been named locally as Garry Holbrook.

His body was pulled from the flood waters of the swollen river by Wiltshire Police the following day.

The Wiltshire & Swindon Coroner in Salisbury has been informed. An inquest is likely to open soon.

It is understood that Mr Holbrook lived and worked in Melksham. His family have been informed.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: "Following reports yesterday (13/02) of a man who was believed to have entered the River Avon at Challymead Bridge on the A350 at Melksham, the body of a man was found close to the same bridge at around 10.30pm yesterday. Sadly he was deceased.

"Our enquiries are at a very early stage but there is nothing to suggest there are any suspicious circumstances."

Police were called to the Challymead Bridge at 2.20pm on Thursday following numerous reports expressing concern for the welfare of the man.

He was believed to have gone into the water from off the Challymead Bridge on the A350 Western Way.

Both the fire service and the ambulance service were also involved in the initial response.

They were later stood down with only a police presence remaining at the scene.

The A350 was not closed but the incident caused some delays to drivers using the A350.

If anyone has any information which could assist police enquiries call101, quoting log 178 of February 14.