POLICE have now confirmed that a body found earlier this month is that of a 96-year-old Powys woman who had gone missing in February.

Dyfed Powys Police confirmed on March 5 that they had found a body in the search for Rita, who went missing in Brecon on Saturday, February 26.

“We can confirm that formal identification has taken place. In line with the families wishes, we’re not releasing anything further at this time,” the force said in a brief statement today.

An extensive, large scale multi-agency search had been taking place in Brecon and surrounding area following Rita's disappearance, involving the Dyfed Powys Police search team, as well as Brecon Mountain Rescue Team (BMRT), Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the National Police Air Service.

Scores of local people had joined the search and a Facebook page called ‘Let's Find Rita’ had even been set up.

Brecon Mountain Rescue Team had set up a mobile incident room at the 1st Brecon Scout Group hut in Scout Lane, as rescuers desperately continued the search for Rita.

Police and BMRT had refused to scale down the search which began on February 26 when a force helicopter flew low over the town and fire crews and Brecon MRT searched the nearby canal and river.

Police said on March 5: “Police searching for a missing 96-year-old woman in the Brecon area have today found a body.

“Her family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.”