MEMBERS of a club where missing pensioner Veronica Reynolds (pictured) studied local history, are hoping the finding of a body means they will soon be able to put her to rest.

Mary Davies, membership secretary of Newport's U3A (University of the Third Age), said that since a body was found in a Malpas stream, "everybody here is quite concerned".

The U3A is a group that holds classes for the elderly at Shaftesbury Street Methodist Church Hall in the city centre.

Police have confirmed it was the body of a woman, but are still awaiting the results of forensic examinations to determine her identity.

A Malpas farmer found the body in a stream on his land on Tuesday afternoon.

Mrs Davies said: "I think people feel they would be glad if it was her, so that we could put her to rest.

"She was a very popular person. She had her own set of friends, as we all do, and she liked local history."

She said Mrs Reynolds' sister-in-law, Ann Read, was also a member of the U3A.

She said: "I feel very sorry for Ann Read. She's been afraid to go anywhere in case something happens."

Joe and Betty Williams, both neighbours of Mrs Reynolds and members of the U3A, used to take her shopping with them every Friday at Newport Retail Park.

Mrs Williams said: "It would be better for everyone if it were her so we can put her to rest with a decent burial. The not knowing is really awful. It's so sad as she is a lovely, sweet lady and kind and caring."

She said Mrs Reynolds had seemed depressed in the weeks before her disappearance in August, 2002.

Mr Williams, who is in his 70s, said Mrs Reynolds was not able to go shopping with them on two of the Friday's leading up to her disappearance because of ill health.

He said Mrs Reynolds was a keen walker and a member of a local bridge club.

Brian and Beryl Holmes lived directly next to Mrs Reynolds and describe her as a gentle and shy woman who occasionally went dancing with friends.

Mr Holmes said: "She was a sprightly woman. There has been a lot of speculation since her disappearance."

Anky Ball, 69, was a neighbour of Mrs Reynolds for about 40 years.

The grandmother-of-two said: "She was depressed before her disappearance but appeared to be getting better and her doctor had prescribed her anti-depressants of some sort.

"Veronica is extremely kind and my children and grandchildren loved her when they were growing up."

Mrs Reynolds had no children and her husband Peter died in the late 1990s.