Police have found a body in the search for a missing three-year-old boy, whose disappearance sparked a huge community search effort.

Noah Woods went missing at around 3pm on Tuesday in Brantham, Suffolk, when he became separated from a relative after visiting a park in Merriam Close.

More than 1,000 people have joined the search effort in the 24 hours since, being organised into small patrols to comb the village, construction site and lake close to where he was last seen.

Shortly before 6pm on Wednesday, police confirmed that specialist dive teams had recovered a body.

It followed a day of intense search activity around the village, involving more than 1,000 volunteers, some of whom had travelled from across the country to join the effort.

At lunchtime on Wednesday, police released CCTV images of the park showing Noah playing and then appearing to run from the area.

The youngster, whom police described as non-verbal and with partial hearing loss, was reported to have run off down the alleyway beside the playground towards a new-build housing estate.

The village hall became a makeshift search headquarters, with volunteers being briefed on where they should search, and those unfamiliar with the area being paired with local searchers.

Confirming the discovery of the body, Supt Tom Pearse said: “Police dive teams this afternoon have sadly recovered the body of a child from Decoy Pond in Brantham. Formal identification has yet to be confirmed but the family of Noah Woods have been informed of this development.

He said police had been “overwhelmed” at the reaction from the community, adding “such a response is one that typifies the community and heartwarming nature of Suffolk people”.

He added: “I am sure you appreciate the family now need privacy.”

Police had said that the operation was being treated as a missing persons inquiry and though officers had an open mind, there was no evidence “to indicate anything sinister or any element of criminality has taken place”.

Sarah Keys, Brantham Parish Council Clerk, said the village and everyone involved in the search felt “absolute devastation”.

She said the search “spoke to the heart of so many people and they really wished for a better outcome”.

But she added: “I’m feeling proud of what we have done together as a village and a community. So many people have come together and provided resources and support for each other and shown the best of human nature.

“Brantham is a special community and over the last two days it has proved that. People have rallied in a way I couldn’t possibly imagine.”

In an online tribute, Brantham Leisure Centre and Brantham Athletic Football Club said the “overwhelming outpouring of emotion” after the news of the body being found was “a powerful reminder of how deeply Noah and his family are cherished” in the village and wider area.

Noah’s father Rhys Woods on Wednesday morning thanked community volunteers for their efforts.

“All the emergency services and all of you have shown how strong this community is, with people coming from far and wide also.”

He added: “I cannot go another night knowing he’s out there alone. Please don’t give up on him, guys. He is out there somewhere and I appreciate every single one of you.”

Police said specially trained officers and dog units had been searching the village, located near the estuary of the River Stour, since Tuesday afternoon. The search area was later expanded to include East Bergholt and Manningtree.

They were supported by helicopters from the National Police Air Service and HM Coastguard, with further support on the ground provided by the Coastguard, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service, Suffolk Lowland Search & Rescue (Sulsar) and more than 100 members of the public.

Coastguard helicopters were seen hovering over stretches of the River Stour late on Wednesday afternoon.

Trains travelling between Ipswich and Manningtree were slowed down to protect the search area.

• Police updated media on Wednesday afternoon – watch the full statement above

Police had earlier thanked volunteers for their help in the search, and urged them to follow police directions as the numbers arriving in the village swelled.

Mr Pearse of Suffolk Police said: “This will ensure we can carefully plan and take account of people supporting the search.”

He urged volunteers to avoid open water and railways, adding that they required “specialist and professional expertise”.

Volunteers had been combing areas around the village for the three-year-old, who was wearing a white Bluey T-shirt, shorts and black trainers when he went missing.

Councillor Alastair McCraw, who represents Brantham on Babergh District Council, said there was a “massive police presence” in the village on Tuesday.

Roads in the village had become congested on Wednesday, with people parking on verges so they could join the search, with local businesses supporting the efforts too.

The village church, pub and nursery all offered use of their facilities, and put on free tea and coffee for volunteers.

The leisure centre became a briefing centre for those taking part, where they were given updates on the latest in the investigation.

Through the afternoon, police received a number of calls about children’s toys and hats, though he was not carrying anything or wearing a hat when he went missing.

Advice from Brantham Parish Council to volunteers included: “You are looking for a frightened three-year-old.

“Think about slight movements in your peripheral, high and low, tiny small spaces, and use all your senses while searching.”

Volunteers were told not to grab or approach Noah if they found him, but instead to call police on 999 immediately and give their exact location using the What3Words app.

Police earlier asked local residents to check their gardens thoroughly, sheds and outbuildings or any potential areas where a child might hide.

Anyone with private CCTV or doorbell cameras in the village, or who was driving through the area with a dashcam, are asked to review the footage from 3pm on Tuesday onwards for any possible sightings of Noah.