A man's body has been found inside a car on the bed of the River Thames at Walton.

Firefighters discovered the vehicle while testing underwater camera equipment at Cowey Sale, next to Walton Bridge, on Thursday, June 29.

Police, who found the body the following morning, say it is thought to have been under the water for several months but said the death was not suspicious.

He was named as John Westing, 68, from Byfleet, Surrey, who has been missing since January 2. The "fluke" find came when firefighters from Walton station were testing new equipment which enables them to see for several metres underwater.

It was only the second time the camera, connected to a pole with lights on, has been used.

As soon as they spotted the car, a blue Volkswagen Polo, they made a note of the registration number and called the police.

On Friday morning specialist divers from Sussex Police went on to the riverbed and found the body, still inside the car.

A cordon was put up around the river and Cowey Sale, a popular spot where people often park their car or picnic.

Police and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service were then joined by the Environment Agency, which provided the equipment to lift the car out of the water on to the slip way.

Mr Westing's body was removed and the vehicle taken away for examination.

An inquest was due to open yesterday at Woking Coroners Court.

Martin Cutler, watch manager at Walton Fire Station, said the body could easily have stayed undetected for months longer.

He said: "We have never had this equipment before. It was just a complete fluke.

"The crew did not know there was a body down there at the time because it was covered in mud. I would like to say that all the different services worked very well together and there was good communication between everyone.

"Thank you to everybody for what was a very difficult and not very nice job."

A police spokesman said: "We can confirm the body was discovered in a blue Volkswagen Polo and it had been in the water for several months.

"There are no suspicious circumstances. We have made contact with next of kin."