Murder detectives have told the family of a missing father-of-two about the discovery of a human leg in a Rush Green pond.

The find was made by a member of the public yesterday evening, less than two miles from the place where 39-year-old Neill Buchel was last seen on Thursday, March 13.

Lead investigator in the case, Det Ch Insp Chris Jones said it was “too early to confirm” if the find was relevant to his investigation but launched an appeal for anglers to come forward with any information.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said officers had informed the family of Neil, who is from Braintree Road, Dagenham, about the find.

Police retrieved the floating body part from the water at White Hart Lakes, off Chase Road, shortly after 6pm and it is currently undergoing forensic analysis.

Det Ch Insp Jones said in an earlier appeal for information about the disappearance of Neill said they believed he had “come to significant harm” adding it was likely he would have contacted family and friends if “ok”.

In a statement released today he said: “I would like to ask anybody who has used the lakes over recent weeks whether they have noticed any unusual or suspicious activity.

“Have you seen anybody putting something into the water? Have you noticed anybody who you have not seen there before?

“Any information, no matter how trivial you may think it to be, could be crucial to establishing what happened and I would urge you to speak with my team.”

Three men, two aged 35 and another aged 41, were have been arrested on suspicion of Neill’s murder and have been bailed to a date in late April.

Anyone with information should call the incident room on 020 8345 3734 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.