THE BODY of "lovely" son and brother Einstein Ellis has been found in the Severn three months after he disappeared.

It means the 36-year-old bookseller's heartbroken mother, Yvonne Ellis, and sister, Sharon - who have been searching for him since his sudden disappearance after splitting up with his girlfriend in November - can finally lay him to rest.

Last night Mrs Ellis told how she had identified her son's body, after it was recovered from the Severn in Gloucester on Monday.

"I couldn't recognise Einstein, but we know it's him," said the 56-year-old from Hereford.

"We feared the worst but we just didn't know. We've got something to focus our grief on now. We can try and move forward, but it is still very difficult."

"He was a very, very lovely son, and he loved life.

It is believed the body had been in the river for three months, said Mrs Ellis.

She last spoke to Einstein on the phone on Saturday, November 20. He has not been since departing for work at Ottaker's bookshop in The Shambles, Worcester, followed the break-up of a five-year relationship with his girlfriend.

Mrs Ellis said he had been devastated.

"We had a meal together with him and his girlfriend about two weeks before he

disappeared and he was absolutely fine. Then they split up and his world fell apart," said Mrs Ellis, who made several public pleas for him to return, and spent Christmas searching for information about her son..

Einstein - better known as Mark in Hereford - changed his name and moved to Worcester about 15 years ago. He lived on Barbourne Road, Barbourne

His sister, Sharon Waygood paid tribute to the "fantastic brother" who "was always looking out" for her.

"There are so many memories. We used to go out walking in the Malvern Hills and he was always interested in what he saw around him," added 35-year-old Mrs Waygood.

Funeral

Funeral arrangements are in place for Monday in Hereford.

"We want him home with us here. We know he is peaceful now and being well looked after," said Mrs Waygood.

"We want to thank the police. They have been absolutely fantastic and very supportive during the search."

The Gloucester coroners are moving office and could not be contacted to confirm that Mr Ellis's body had been positively identified.