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The body of the child was recovered from Decoy Pond in Brantham

Detectives from Suffolk Constabulary have confirmed the body found yesterday is that of missing Noah Woods.

The three-year-old was reported missing on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 15, when he became separated from a relative after visiting the playground in Merriam Close.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Dive Team recovered the body of a child from Decoy Pond in Brantham.

Subject to confirmation at formal inquest proceedings, the child has been formally identified as Noah.

His death is not being treated as suspicious but police still have a number of enquiries to complete before submitting a file for the Coroner.

Superintendent Tom Pearse said: "I want to once again extend our thoughts and deepest sympathy to Noah’s family and thank them for their patience and understanding throughout the searches.

"It was clear from the media coverage we saw that they not only had all of Suffolk behind them, but an outpouring of goodwill from across the entire country and beyond.

"I know how grateful Noah’s family are for all the support and kind messages they have received, but would reiterate our plea to now allow them the time, space and privacy they need at this deeply distressing time."

On Thursday, Noah’s father Rhys Woods paid tribute to his son in a message shared on a community Facebook group.

He wrote: "As I’m sure you have all seen, the body that was found in Decoy Pond is our little Noah.

"There are no words to describe the pain of this loss, we are all absolutely heartbroken, Noah was the sweetest and most innocent little boy, with nothing but love to give, and we are going to miss him so very much."

He said Noah will be loved forever and never forgotten, adding: "It has been a privilege to be your parents and be able to have packed so much love in the short three years you were with us."

A JustGiving fundraising page set up to support Noah’s family has raised more than £42,000.

The fundraiser, set up by Good Dads Club, a community of fathers based in Colchester aims to help with the family’s expenses and allow them "time off work to grieve without the added strain of financial worry".

Matt Krishnan-Bird, of Good Dads Club, said: "It was very clear that thousands of people were looking for a similar outlet to show compassion, support and kindness, so we thought we would set this up."

The fundraiser can be found at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gooddadsclub.

In the village, police ran out of hi-vis vests because so many people turned out to help find Noah.

Goldie, who did not want to give her surname, was volunteering to help run the community hub, telling The Guardian: "We’re providing a place for people to gather, and we’ve made a tribute book.

"Tributes are pouring in online, but for the family there is frankly some abuse online so we want them to have something to look at while avoiding that.