THE owner of an Aberystwyth hotel wrecked by fire has said the discovery of a body at the hotel is “desperately upsetting”.

Police confirmed on Friday that search teams at Ty Belgrave House on Marine Terrace had discovered a body, believed to be that of a Lithuanian man who was unaccounted for following the early-morning blaze on Wednesday, 25 July.

While the remains have not been formally identified, Ceredigion coroner Peter Brunton has been informed of the discovery of the body and a Home Office post mortem has been arranged.

Ty Belgrave owner Emyr Davies said in a statement: “I continue to be grateful to all of the emergency services for their ongoing extraordinary efforts.

“I understand that tragically there are reports that a body has been recovered from Ty Belgrave. I have not been informed of this personally.

“If correct, this is desperately upsetting news, but I am sure you will appreciate I am unable to make any direct comment until the ongoing criminal process has been exhausted.”

See this week’s Aberystwyth edition for the full story, in shops and online now