DETECTIVES questioning two people in connection with the murder of a man in Stourport-on-Severn have been granted more time.

The man and woman were arrested on suspicion of murdering 62-year-old Reginald Southall in the early hours of yesterday.

Today police were granted a 36-hour extension to continue holding the pair, who are being questioned in Redditch and Kidderminster.

Mr Southall's body was discovered in the river Severn at Stourport before Christmas.

Post-mortem tests established that he had died from drowning but before entering the water had suffered injuries to his head and body, consistent with him being assaulted.

Last week, more than 40 officers were seen searching the riverside in Stourport.

A sledgehammer were among the items retrieved by police.

Mr Southall - a retired lorry driver, who was married for more than 40 years and grew up in the Black Country - was last seen at 6.45pm on Tuesday, December 4, after going for a walk with his wife. He was reported missing the following day.