The family of missing man Nigel Knights have confirmed that a body found in the River Medway last month was him.

Posted on a Facebook page set up to help find Mr Knights after he disappeared, a family statement read: "Thank you everyone for the support and for the respect following the devastating news on May 18. We can now sadly confirm that this was Nigel."

The 63-year-old grandfather's body was pulled from the water at Strood Pier in Canal Road on May 18 - nine days after he had gone missing following a shopping trip to Morrisons in Strood.

Mr Knights' family have set up an online fundraising page and invited well wishers to make a donation in his memory.

Their statement continued: "Please instead of sending flowers can you consider making a donation towards a memorial bench in Nigel's memory which will be placed in his home town of Cuxton.

"Any funds left over will be donated to a Charity close to Nigel's heart. Thank you again for all the support, the family is eternally grateful."

Mr Knights' funeral will take place on Thursday June 30, leaving Cuxton Social Club at 1.15pm for a 2pm service at Medway's Bluebell Hill Crematorium.