THE BODY of a man pulled from a dock was last night confirmed to be a Mersey Docks and Harbour Company director who went missing nearly four years ago.

Bernard Cook was 54 when he disappeared from his office on November 16, 2005.

On May 15, a body was pulled from Bootle’s Sandon Half Tide Dock in Regent Road. Following tests, police last night confirmed that it was Mr Cook.

The Wirral father-of-two, from Higher Bebington, was the company’s estates director, based at Seaforth.

He had left his home as usual in the morning but failed to return home from work.

He was last seen when he left his car at work before taking a white Peugeot 206 van.

Confirmation of the body’s identity marks the end of an agonising wait for his wife, Bernadette, who works as a teacher, and their two children Andrew, 24, and Clare, 26.

Police were initially called to the dock following the discovery of a submerged vehicle, with a body inside. Mr Cook’s identity was confirmed after checks on dental records were carried out.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned into Mr Cook’s death, and is due to be heard on July 21.

Mr Cook, described as a "caring and loving" man by his wife, was a keen climber who had been the subject of several emotional appeals for information after he went missing.