Stag night body found

Ian Gilbert's body was found in Ostend harbour

The body of a best man who vanished during a stag weekend in Belgium has been recovered from a dock in Ostend, police have confirmed.

Ian Gilbert vanished two weeks ago as the 27-strong group headed back to a hotel in the North Sea port town after a night of drinking.

His friends said no-one had noticed he was missing until the next morning, and they feared he may have fallen into the sea and drowned.

Mr Gilbert had himself been married less than a year

Chief Inspector Ronny De Groote, of Ostend police, confirmed the body was that of Mr Gilbert.

He said there were no immediate indications as to the cause of death, but said there was no sign of foul play.

An autopsy would be carried out next week and the family had been informed, he added.

Step-children

Mr Gilbert, 25, an advertising representative from Crowborough in East Sussex, had himself only been married 11 months.

His bride Charlotte, 34, was already in Ostend when the body was found, after travelling there to help find him.

Friend Dan Martin, speaking on behalf of Mrs Gilbert and the family, said: "We are all absolutely devastated and desperately sad.

"Charlotte and the rest of the family are just trying to take it all in and come to terms with what has happened.

"They're in a state of shock. We would urge everyone to leave them in peace and allow them time and space to grieve.

"Ian is obviously going to be missed terribly by lots of people, in particular his family."

Mrs Gilbert revisited the bars her husband drank in

He said Charlotte was too upset to talk about the death of her husband.

On Friday night she was supported by friends as she revisited the bars her spouse drank at exactly two weeks ago, in an attempt to jog people's memories.

Mr Gilbert, nicknamed Golly, had become step-father to her two children from a previous marriage.

His body was spotted by two Dutch people walking around the harbour of the town early on Saturday morning.

Groom Mark Rosier, 27, and his bride-to-be have put their wedding planned for the end of the month on hold.