Police say a body found in the search for the missing sister-in-law of actor Mackenzie Crook is that of Laurel Aldridge.

The 62-year-old was reported missing from her home in the village of Walberton, near Arundel in West Sussex, on 14 February.

Crook, who is known for roles in The Office, Pirates Of The Caribbean and Worzel Gummidge, had made public appeals to find Ms Aldridge, who was his wife’s older sister.

Sussex Police launched an 11-day search, which ended on Saturday when officers announced that a body had been found in the Tortington Lane area of the town.

Formal identification has now taken place, Sussex Police confirmed on Thursday.

In a statement, reported by ITV, her family described her as “a wonderful, creative, fiercely-intelligent person, who taught us all the meaning of empathy, dependability, and love”.

“We as a family are broken by what has happened, but we have each other, we have our friends, and we have the support of the local community, who have so kindly rallied around us during this difficult time.

“We will never forget what you have done for us.”

Crook previously said his sister-in-law’s disappearance was “agonising” for the family.

He described her as a “wonderful mother” and “usually very happy” in his appeal for information to help find her.

Crook added that she had missed a chemotherapy session on the day she went missing.