Hopes of finding a 12-year-old boy alive after he slipped into the River Thames while fishing with a friend are rapidly fading.

Nathan Monaghan was swept away under sluice gates at Sutton Courtenay weir, near Abingdon, on Saturday afternoon.

Police divers resumed their search of the river this morning (November 11) but senior officers have said that the possibility of finding Nathan alive are extremely slim.

His mother, Tania Roberts, is being comforted by family and friends at her home in MacKenzie Avenue in Milton Heights, near Abingdon, while Nathan's father, David Monaghan, of Wantage, and stepfather, Darren Roberts joined the search.

Insp Gordon Sinclair, of Thames Valley Police, said: "This is not a missing person inquiry. Sadly we are looking for a body, and it could take a long time. Once a body has been found then the family can go through a grieving process. I know what it is like, having lost two members of my family in a fishing boat accident off the west coast of Scotland."

Nathan was fishing with Joe McKenzie of Milton Road, Sutton Courtenay. The pair are thought to have been standing on one of four sets of sluice gates. Nathan slipped, hit his head on the concrete and has not been seen since. Joe told passers-by what had happened.

Within an hour, police officers arrived and were helped in the search by dogs and the police helicopter. The sluice gates were closed by the Environment Agency to reduce the powerful flow of water.

More than a dozen family and friends also took part in the search. When darkness fell, the divers had to finish their work, but the family continued.

At first light yesterday, they were back along the river with more police and dogs. The helicopter was recalled, sweeping up and down the river towards Abingdon and downstream in the direction of Appleford.

Police divers' work was made difficult by the murky water. The search was called off again last night.

Mr Roberts, Nathan's uncle Wayne Dennett and neighbour Harvey Dallas spent most of yesterday in a boat searching the river.

Mr Roberts said: "I know what we were doing was risky but we were determined to do all we could to find Nathan. He was a lovely boy who enjoyed life. He started fishing only a few months ago and loved the sport."

They have three other children; Jade, nine, Aiden, eight, and five-year-old Charlie.

Fiona Loveridge, Joe's stepmother, said: "Joe is too upset to talk about what was a terrible experience. He and Nathan were good friends and often went fishing together."

Abingdon Venture Rescue unit member, Dave Grimes, said: "The conditions are very difficult. The water level is swollen by recent heavy rains and the flow is fast, not to mention the dangerous undercurrents.

"There is a lesson here for all young people -- keep away from water at this time of the year."