Gaynor, 55, disappeared eight days ago and CCTV showed her rushing through the streets of Norwich and visiting the cathedral.

Her ­family have been informed but formal identification of the body has not yet taken place. Police are trying to find out what happened in a 34-minute period before she was seen leaving the Cathedral Quarter at 3.22pm on December 8.

Relatives said that, although Gaynor “had a religion”, it was unusual for her to

make such a trip. Investigators have said they believe she was alone and did not meet anybody.

The last sighting of the retail assistant on CCTV was at 4.01pm on a street between the cathedral and Wensum Park.

Hours later her white work shirt, yellow tank top, trousers, mobile phone and jewellery were found spread out in the park.

A witness had spotted a woman fitting her description at about 4.05pm removing her coat and ­performing a yoga pose.

The clothing discovery means she could have been left wearing just underwear as temperatures dropped. Her olive-coloured coat was found in the River Wensum on Tuesday as police said they suspected she “entered the water”.

Gaynor’s husband Clive, 63, is said by relatives to have been “in bits” since her disappearance.

He and their children had been desperately hoping she would be found safe and well. Last night he was being comforted by daughters Alexandra, 22, and Charlotte, 24.

His sister-in-law Susan Sinclair, 66, said before yesterday’s discovery of a woman’s body in the river: “Clive is in bits, obviously.

“But he has got his two daughters there supporting him.”

Specialist divers retrieved a body shortly before noon yesterday. The discovery was about 100 yards downstream from Wensum Park, where Gaynor was last seen alive.

Members of Norfolk Police’s underwater search team were seen in the river signalling to colleagues on the bank that something had been found.

A large white tent was set up by the river bank for privacy and a black body bag was then slipped into the water.

Although formal identification had still to take place last night, Gaynor’s husband, a financial adviser, was told by ­detectives to expect the worst.

Floral tributes were laid near to the gates of Wensum Park in Norwich, with three bouquets left by 3pm yesterday.

One of them said: “Gaynor, may you be at peace. God bless your family.”

READ MORE Major update in Gaynor Lord search as police divers pull body from river

A post-mortem to determine cause of death will be carried out later today, but police said yesterday that there was “no evidence” of third party involvement. Chief Superintendent Dave Buckley confirmed that the family had been told of the diving team’s discovery but said they were awaiting confirmation that the body was Gaynor.

He added: “We remain open-minded to the circumstances of Gaynor’s disappearance and we will continue to pursue all lines of inquiry to ascertain why she went missing. I’m keen to say this remains a missing person inquiry.

“I am also satisfied at the moment, based on the evidence that we have, that Gaynor did not meet anyone on the way to the park, and we now have a better understanding of her movements through the
city centre.”

He added: “I would reiterate at this stage that there is no evidence of third party involvement. “Nothing in our inquiries have changed this position.”

Gaynor disappeared after leaving work – a gin concession stand at Norwich’s Jarrolds department store – at 2.45pm on December 8.

Thirty minutes earlier she had phoned her friend Julie Butcher, but the bridal hairdresser had been unable to talk because a client called at the same time. Julie asked Gaynor if she could call her back later.

But when she tried seven or eight minutes afterward the call went straight to voicemail, so she left a voicemail message and sent a WhatsApp text.

At 4.15pm Julie received another call from Gaynor’s phone but said it sounded like she had been “pocket dialled” – set off accidentally – as her friend did not speak.

Police released CCTV images of Gaynor in the hope people who saw her would come forward.In the footage she could be seen smiling as she left work and later as she rushed along the streets of the city centre.

The film was released as divers scoured the swollen river looking for the missing mum.

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