A DAD-OF-TWO died after falling into the water after a Christmas party in Southampton with his workmates.

The 51-year-old man was last seen on CCTV leaving La Margherita Restaurant at Town Quay after a night out with about 40 colleagues from Garmin Europe Ltd, Romsey.

The divorced man from the Thornhill area of Southampton is thought to have walked on to a pontoon where he is believed to have fallen into the water. CCTV captured the man walking out of the restaurant's rear entrance and on to the pontoon which is closed off from the public by using a security pin-coded gate.

Police were alerted to a body that was found floating in the water just off Pontoon C at 1.27pm yesterday.

Officers from the Hampshire police marine unit were despatched and recovered a man's body from the water.

Police from Southampton central police station along with colleagues from Portswood were also called to the scene which was taped off yesterday. The body has not yet been formerly identified, but it is believed to be that of the man who went missing after the Christmas party on Saturday night.

Det Sgt Chris Appleby said: "Although we are awaiting the results of the post-mortem examination, we think this was an accident that happened in tragic circumstances. "It would appear that this man was very well liked."

The man's family have been informed. Officers were also at the Romsey firm where he worked to break news to workers of their colleague's death. A post-mortem was being carried out this morning at Southampton General Hospital.