A MAN found dead on a beach in Devon at the weekend is thought to be former Wellington resident Matthew Upham.

Antiques dealer Mr Upham, aged 64, was one of two people believed to have drowned in a Christmas Day swimming tragedy in Budleigh Salterton.

Hundreds of people were taking part in a traditional festive dip when local residents said the sea suddenly turned as rough as they had ever seen it.

Mr Upham and a man in his 40s were thought to have been trying to reach a woman in distress when they disappeared.

Emergency services were called to Exmouth Beach shortly before 3 pm on Sunday (January 25) following a report of a possible body seen near the shore.

They recovered a body of a man and although formal identification is yet to take place, Mr Upham’s family were informed of the development.

It follows the recovery of a 47-year-old man found dead on the shore in Sandy Bay, Exmouth, on January 20.

Mr Upham is the brother of former Wellington motorcycle dealer Mark Upham, who had a showroom in North Street.

He had moved his antiques business from London’s Kings Road to Budleigh Salterton and was said to be a strong swimmer and was known to swim in the sea almost every day.