The body of the 15-year-old, Jonathan Marques from Goa, was recovered from the sluice gates on the Kennet and Avon Canal by the police officers from the Thames Valley Specialist Search and Recovery team on Monday evening.

The police had sent the body for a post-mortem.

"We are considering this as part of the missing person inquiry. Jonathan's family have been informed of the discovery. It is clearly a distressing time for them and we continue to have dedicated family liaison officers in place to assist them," Detective Chief of Loddon Valley Major Crime team Inspector Stan Gilmour said.

A pall of gloom has descended on the Goan community in Britain following reports of the recovery of the body by the Reading police searching for Indian teenager.

The teenager's mother Arcanja collapsed when the news was broken to her and husband Menino yesterday. She collapsed after being told that the body was clad in the uniform of Marques' school, the Hugh Faringdon School.

Marques had left home to go to school on January 6 and did not returned, this prompted a public campaign in Reading, London and nearby areas.

Marques had moved to Britain three years ago with his parents, but was reportedly keen to return to Goa.

The Goan community across Britain had organised a series of prayer meetings for the safety of Marques.

The public campaign in Reading included putting up posters in public places and searches by volunteers.