HONEYMOONERS Lynne and Barry Collett are feared dead after they disappeared from their holiday cottage near Appletreewick earlier this week.

The newlyweds have not been seen since they left the cottage on Monday, walking in the direction of the River Wharfe.

Just two hours later a walker spotted the body of a man in the flooded river at The Strid, near Bolton Abbey. But, by the time he had walked a mile and a half to get help, the body had disappeared from sight.

"The longer they are missing, the more likely it is that there has been a tragic accident," said Supt Andy Parker.

Lynne, a student nurse who would have celebrated her 26th birthday on Wednesday, and Barry, a 29-year-old computer operator from Camberley, were married in the bride's home town of Hook, near Reading, on Saturday.

They spent a night at a hotel in Buckinghamshire, before arriving at Appletreewick, on Sunday afternoon. They told the owners that they intended to walk part of the Dales Way along the river to Bolton Abbey.

They were seen leaving the cottage on 10.15am on Monday. "It is not known for certain where they were going, but at that time, the river was in flood and it was raining heavily," said Supt Parker.

One theory being considered is that they were swept away.

A spokesman for Bolton Abbey Estates said: "The Wharfe does react very quickly to heavy rainfall because of the amount of water running off the catchment area. The river swells and when the rain stops it goes down again."

Police have launched a major investigation, but initially it was considered too dangerous for divers to enter the water. Instead, officers, together with members of the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association and estate workers, carried out a river bank search but to no avail.

The search was resumed on Tuesday morning after the river level had dropped, and at 7.30am, an estate worker found a woman's red anorak in the river near Harrison's Ford - just yards from where the body was seen.

Items in the pocket led the police to the holiday cottage, where they found wedding presents, cards and details relating to Lynne and Barry.

"Nothing is certain," said Supt Parker. "However, the two missing people have not been seen since Monday, and we have a sighting of a male body in the river, and a jacket belonging to Lynne Collett.

"Their families have been informed and are assisting us."

Now the police are appealing for anyone who spoke to the newlyweds or who saw them after 10.15am on Monday to get in touch.

Police divers searched three deep pools at The Strid on Wednesday, and carried out a line search, wading along the river, yesterday (Thursday). Nothing had been found as the Herald went to press.

"The Fell Rescue Association and staff on the estate have been magnificent, and have given us tremendous support throughout the whole operation," added Mr Parker.

Anyone who can help should ring Skipton Police on 01756 793377.

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