A remote-control submersible camera could be used to probe the deep waters of The Strid in the hunt for the body of honeymooner Barry Collett.

Police are looking into the possibility of using the hi-tech camera to avoid sending frogmen into the treacherous section where the River Wharfe funnels through a narrow gorge at Bolton Abbey, near Skipton.

Mr Collett, 29, is believed to have fallen into the river on August 18, the day after he and his new bride, 26-year-old Lynn, arrived at their hideaway honeymoon cottage in the village.

Lynn's body was recovered about a week later, about four miles downstream at Addingham.

DC Andy Roberts, of Skipton police, said it was still too dangerous to send divers into the Strid.

"We are looking at the possibility of using a special remote control underwater camera. They have been used elsewhere but only in reservoirs.

"They are not very powerful, but it might be possible to use one.''

The Strid is about 20 feet deep and shaped like a hour glass and in the bell shaped section is full of ledges and holes.

DC Roberts said Lynn's body was still being kept at Airedale General Hospital, Steeton, on the request of her parents, Ernest and Val Spreadborough of Hampshire.

It would remain there until Mr Collett's body was found and then both would be taken back to Hampshire for the funeral, he said.

The North Yorkshire coroner was in agreement and was prepared to wait and see how the situation developed.

"We feel great sympathy for the families and on compassionate grounds we want to do as much as we can for them. We are not going to rush them into anything and the coroner is in agreement,'' said DC Roberts.

Divers would continue to comb the stretch of the river from above The Strid as far as Ilkley when conditions were favourable, he added.

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